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Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Federal Reserve is set to announce its first monetary policy decision of the year on Wednesday, with market analysts widely expecting interest rates to remain unchanged. The announcement, scheduled for 19:00 GMT, will be followed by a press conference with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell at 19:30 GMT, where investors will look for insights into the central bank’s policy direction.
Following the December meeting, policymakers projected two 25-basis-point rate cuts in 2025, citing strong economic growth, low unemployment, and persistent inflation concerns as reasons for a cautious approach to easing monetary policy. Powell previously emphasized that the Fed remains data-driven and will assess evolving economic conditions before making adjustments.
Up Coming Economic Calendar Release
Market pricing suggests little expectation of a rate cut this month, with the CME FedWatch Tool indicating a 33% probability of a 25-basis-point reduction in March. Given these expectations, analysts suggest that Powell’s remarks will be more influential for the U.S. dollar’s trajectory than the rate decision itself.
“The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is likely to keep rates steady at 4.25%-4.50%, with Powell signaling a careful and measured approach to future policy decisions,” analysts at TD Securities noted. They added that while the Fed remains focused on economic data, upcoming policy shifts under President Donald Trump’s administration could also factor into the central bank’s decision-making process.
With financial markets keenly awaiting Powell’s commentary, any indication of a potential rate cut in the coming months could impact investor sentiment and currency movements.
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