Bank of Japan Signals Cautious Path Toward Further Rate Hikes Amid Yen Weakness 
ECB’s Cipollone Backs Digital Euro as Europe Pushes for Payment System Independence 
Fed Confirms Rate Meeting Schedule Despite Severe Winter Storm in Washington D.C. 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
BOJ Rate Decision in Focus as Yen Weakness and Inflation Shape Market Outlook 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
FOMC increased interest rates in March and June and increased its forecast from three rate hikes in 2018 to four rate hikes. June decision was unanimous. Current Federal funds rate - 175-200 bps (Note, all calculations are based on data as of 25th June)
- August 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 100 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent.
- September 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 29.2 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, and 70.8 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent.
- November 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 27.7 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 68.6 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, and 3.7 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent.
- December 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 11 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 43.9 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, 42.8 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 2.2 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent.
- January 2019 meeting: Market is attaching 10.1 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 40.3 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, 42.4 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 7 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent, and 0.3 percent probability that rates will be at 2.75-3.00 percent.
The probability is suggesting,
- Since our last review a week ago, the probabilities have softened.
- The market is pricing the third hike for 2018 in September and pricing it with 70.8 percent probability compared to 83.3 percent a week ago.
- The market is pricing the fourth hike in December with 49.7 percent probability instead of 53.4 percent probability just a week ago.
- It is important to note that despite Fed’s forecast, the market is not ready to price in a fourth hike.
