Fed dot plot expected to signal fewer rate cuts as inflation pressures linger

• The Federal Reserve's dot plot reflects interest rate expectations from the world's most important central bank.
• June's Fed dot plot will likely show fewer rate cuts, given the strength of the economy and the persistence of inflation. 
• Fed Chair Jerome Powell decision to focus on inflation or employment may add context to the dot plot.

A dovish decision – that was the verdict in March, when the Federal Reserve's (Fed) dot plot still pointed to three interest rate cuts in 2024, despite higher inflation. Markets seemed to ignore the fact there were fewer dots pointing to three cuts, and that the median was close to tipping down to two cuts.

Fed dot plot recent developments

The dot plot is officially called the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) and consists of projections for growth, inflation and employment, in addition to rates. Markets care about borrowing costs – even to the point of cheering weak economic data as it implies lower rates. 

After that March decision, the bank acknowledged inflation was higher and pointed to a longer delay in cutting rates. Some hawkish Fed members, such as Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari, opened the door to refraining from reducing borrowing costs in 2024. That would mean higher points on the dot plot. 

However, it was followed by a much-needed retreat in inflation in the report for April, which showed that the "bump on the road" might have been long but that price rises were moderating. It emboldened the doves, which could still opt for three rate cuts on the dot plot. 
Underlying inflation is falling slowly:

Will the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) opt for one or two interest rate cuts as the median in the dot plot? That is the question for markets. Apart from inflation, the labor market is also of high importance as full employment is the Fed's second mandate. 

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that "unexpected weakness" in jobs would push the Fed toward cutting rates. The last Nonfarm Payrolls resulted in 272,000 new positions in May, well above expectations and reflecting strength rather than weakness. 

However, the Unemployment Rate rose to the round 4% level. That strengthens the doves.
 

US Unemployment Rate. Source: FXStreet

Fed dot plot has the first and last word in moving markets

FOMC members – including those who do not vote on interest rates – participate in creating the dot plot, and the eyes of markets are on them. A median of one rate cut in 2024 would boost the US Dollar (USD), but send Gold price and stocks down. A dot plot pointing to two cuts would cheer investors in stocks and Gold, while downing the US Dollar. 

It is essential to note that the accompanying statement and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference also move markets. And Powell will stress that the FOMC makes decisions on a meeting-by-meeting basis and is data-dependent. Nevertheless, the dot plot has the first word in moving markets – and the last word.

The dots are what investors remember, and the next ones come only in September. That means Gold, the US Dollar and stocks will be impacted by this factor for many months.