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FOMC increased interest rates again in December for the third time in 2017 and projected three more hikes in 2018. However, debates among policymakers are growing over hikes as inflation remains low. Charles Evans joined Neel Kashkari in opposing another hike in December. The market, however, started pricing the third hike in December. Let’s look at hike probabilities for the next 12 months. Current FOMC rate is at 125-150 basis points. (Note, all calculations are based on data as of 29th January)
- January 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 94.8 percent probability that rates will be at 1.25-1.50 percent, and 5.2 percent probability that rates will be at 1.50-1.75 percent.
- March 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 24 percent probability that rates will be at 1.25-1.50 percent, 72.1 percent probability that rates will be at 1.50-1.75 percent, and 3.9 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent.
- May 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 23.5 percent probability that rates will be at 1.25-1.50 percent, 71.1 percent probability that rates will be at 1.50-1.75 percent, and 5.4 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent.
- June 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 5.9 percent probability that rates will be at 1.25-1.50 percent, 35.4 percent probability that rates will be at 1.50-1.75 percent, 54.7 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, and a 4.1percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25.
- August 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 5.3 percent probability that rates will be at 1.25-1.50 percent, 32.5 percent probability that rates will be at 1.50-1.75 percent, 52.7 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 9 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, and 0.5 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent.
- September 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 1.8 percent probability that rates will be at 1.25-1.50 percent, 14.5 percent probability that rates will be at 1.50-1.75 percent, 39.4 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 37.9 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, 6.1 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 0.3 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent.
- November 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 1.6 percent probability that rates will be at 1.25-1.50 percent, 13 percent probability that rates will be at 1.50-1.75 percent, 36.4 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 38.1 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, 9.8 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, and 1 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent.
- December 2018 meeting: Market is attaching 0.9 percent probability that rates will be at 1.25-1.50 percent, 8.4 percent probability that rates will be at 1.50-1.75 percent, 27 percent probability that rates will be at 1.75-2.00 percent, 37.5 percent probability that rates will be at 2.00-2.25 percent, 21.3 percent probability that rates will be at 2.25-2.50 percent, 4.4 percent probability that rates will be at 2.50-2.75 percent, and 0.4 percent probability that rates will be at 2.75-3.00 percent.
The probability is suggesting,
- Since our last review a week ago, the probability has tightened further.
- Next hike is priced in March with 76 percent probability, instead of 74.2 percent a week ago.
- The market brought forwarded the second hike for 2018 in June and pricing it with 58.9 percent probability compared to 56.3 percent probability, a week ago.
- The market is pricing the third hike in December with 63.6 percent probability instead of 57.9 percent probability just a week ago.
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