Although the high inflation that the FED has been struggling with for a long time has retreated, it is still above the FED’s 2% inflation target. However, the FED has started a rate cutting cycle.
At this point, the FED, which initiated the first interest rate cut with 50 basis points in September, made the second cut of 25 basis points in November.
While the FED is expected to make a rate cut in December, after yesterday’s inflation data, the probability of the FED cutting interest rates in December is priced in at 82.3%. Before the CPI data, it was priced in at 60%.
Although the FED has started to reduce interest rates, global markets continue to search for direction due to ongoing inflation concerns and the risk that possible protectionist policies in the coming period could reinforce inflation pressure.
As global markets continue to search for direction, FED Chairman Jerome Powell’s statements on the economic outlook are eagerly awaited.
Powell will make his first public statement since his press conference following the Fed’s interest rate decision on November 7.
At this point, Powell’s statements are expected to provide important clues about the direction of monetary policy, the interest rate decision in December, and the FED’s strategies to combat inflation.
FED Chairman Jerome Powell’s speech today will start at 23:00 Turkish time.
On the other hand, FED Chairman Powell’s statements are expected to have an impact on Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency prices and increase volatility in prices.
What Do the FED Chairman and Members Think?
In his speech following the interest rate decision announced recently, FED Chairman Jerome Powell said that inflation has eased significantly and has fallen significantly towards 2 percent.
Powell stated that they do not have a predetermined route and make decisions by evaluating data from meeting to meeting, and said, “It is difficult to predict the economy. I will not make any predictions, forecasts or speculations.”
Powell said the latest inflation figures were not too bad but were a little higher than expected, and that they would look at the data and the economic outlook at the December meeting and try to manage the risks of moving too quickly or too slowly.
Investors are also closely following the statements of senior officials, apart from the FED chairman. At this point, Minneapolis FED Chairman Neel Kashkari stated that inflation data is on a positive track and said that the reduction process should continue.
St. Louis FED President Alberto Musalem stated that the fight against inflation is on its last legs, but monetary policy should remain restrictive.
*This is not investment advice.