Bank of Japan Holds Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns and Yen Weakness 
Goldman Sachs Delays Bank of England Rate Cut Forecast Amid Middle East Inflation Risks 
China Holds Benchmark Loan Prime Rate Steady for Tenth Consecutive Month 
RBA Set for Back-to-Back Rate Hikes, Westpac Forecasts 
ECB Eyes Rate Hike Amid Iran Conflict-Driven Energy Price Surge 
Fed Holds Rates Steady as Middle East Conflict Clouds Inflation Outlook 
FOMC followed through its promise and hiked rates four times in 2018 and forecasted two more rate hikes for 2019. Current Federal funds rate - 225-250 bps (Note, all calculations are based on data as of 11th February)
- March 2019 meeting: Market is attaching 98.7 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 1.3 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent.
- May 2019 meeting: Market is attaching 96.7 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 3.3 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent.
- June 2019 meeting: Market is attaching 96.7 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 3.3 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent.
- July 2019 meeting: Market is attaching 96.7 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 3.3 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent.
- September 2019 meeting: Market is 5.5 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, and 94.5 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent.
- October 2019 meeting: Market is 5.5 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, and 94.5 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent.
- December 2019 meeting: Market is 19.5 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, and 80.5 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent.
The probability is suggesting,
- Since our last review a week ago, the probabilities have loosened, as investors brace safe-haven assets.
- The market is pricing just one rate hike for 2019 and that with just 0 percent probability, compared to a 4.1 percent a week ago and 26.2 percent in the week before that, which means that the market is far from pricing a rate hike in 2019, despite Fed’s forecast of two hikes.
- The market is now pricing a rate cut in 2019 with 19.5 percent probability, compared to 8.4 percent a week ago, and 4.1 percent probability, a week before that.
