BOJ Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Middle East Uncertainty 
Bank of Japan Holds Rates Steady Amid Iran War Inflation Fears 
RBA Set for Back-to-Back Rate Hikes, Westpac Forecasts 
Goldman Sachs Raises ECB Rate Hike Forecast Amid Persistent Energy-Driven Inflation 
Bank of Japan Governor Signals Gradual Progress Toward 2% Inflation Target 
China Holds Benchmark Loan Prime Rate Steady for Tenth Consecutive Month 
Fed Holds Rates Steady as Middle East Conflict Clouds Inflation Outlook 
Taiwan Central Bank Expected to Hold Interest Rates Steady Through 2027 
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 10th September)
- September 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 1.6 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, and 98.4 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent.
- November 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 1.5 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 93.3 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, and 5.1 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent.
- December 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 0.3 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 20.6 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, 75 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 4.1 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent.
- January 2019 meeting: Market is attaching 0.3 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 19.7 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, 72.7 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 7.3 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent.
- March 2019 meeting: Market is attaching 0.1 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 8.7 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, 42.6 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 44.4 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent, and 4.2 percent probability that rates will be at 2.75-3.00 percent.
- May 2019 meeting: Market is attaching 0.1 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 7.7 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, 38.5 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 44.2 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent, and 9.5 percent probability that rates will be at 2.75-3.00 percent.
- June 2019 meeting: Market is attaching 0.1 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 4.9 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, 27.2 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 42.1 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent, 21.9 percent probability that rates will be at 2.75-3.00 percent, 3.8 percent probability that rates will be at 3.00-3.25 percent.
The probability is suggesting,
- Since our last review a week ago, the probabilities have tightened.
- The market is pricing the third hike for 2018 in September and pricing it with 98.4 percent probability, same as a week ago.
- The market is pricing the fourth hike in December with 79.1 percent probability compared to 71.2 percent a week ago.
- The first rate hike of 2019 is priced in June with 67.8 percent probability, instead of 59.7 percent probability just a week ago.
