Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Bank of England Expected to Hold Interest Rates at 3.75% as Inflation Remains Elevated 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
RBA Expected to Raise Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points in February, ANZ Forecast Says 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
China Holds Loan Prime Rates Steady in January as Market Expectations Align 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
The Federal Reserve's latest meeting minutes reveal plans for a slower pace of interest rate cuts, influenced by policy uncertainties tied to President-elect Donald Trump. Analysts at Goldman Sachs noted that Trump's proposed tariffs and mass deportations have raised concerns about inflation trends.
Fed officials highlighted risks tied to Trump's policies, suggesting inflation's return to the 2% target may take longer than anticipated. While the Federal Open Market Committee cut rates by one percentage point in 2024, some members favored a cautious approach to further reductions, citing upside risks to inflation.
Market expectations now lean toward stable borrowing costs in the near term, with the next rate cut forecasted no earlier than May. This sentiment gained traction after private payroll data showed a slowdown in December, while jobless claims declined.
Goldman Sachs analysts observed the absence of discussion about the Fed’s balance sheet reduction in the minutes. They revised their timeline for quantitative tightening (QT), now anticipating Treasury runoff to extend through March and mortgage-backed securities runoff to end in June.
The Fed's careful stance reflects ongoing efforts to balance economic growth, inflation risks, and policy uncertainties, leaving markets attuned to upcoming data, including Friday’s US employment report.
