FOMC Minutes: Focus on when/how to start reducing the Fed’s balance sheet - SocGen

Sandeep Kanihama FXStreet Contributor

Kit Juckes, Research Analyst at Societe Generale, explains that the focus of FOMC Minutes was on when/how to start the process of reducing the Fed’s balance sheet.

Key Quotes

“There was nothing to change the view that 2017 will see three rate hikes, but if rate hikes happen concurrently with a shrinking Fed balance sheet, that may have an impact on the terminal Funds rate. 1yr rates in 5 years’ time are now priced at 2.55%, 30bp below their highs for the year and the sense is that the Fed isn’t that bothered about a market which prices a lower terminal rate than the ‘dot-plot’ suggests.”

“This matters for two reasons. Firstly, what matters for the dollar now that the rate-hiking cycle is underway is not how many hikes we get this year (or next) but where the Fed’s going in the longer run. And secondly, it’s important for the path of longer-dated Treasury yields. The dollar gets not help from the Fed if we’re collectively tempted to revise terminal Funds down rather than up. And with 10s still flirting furiously with the bottom of their 4-month range, the danger of a break lower’s clear.”

Author

Sandeep Kanihama

FXStreet Contributor

Sandeep Kanihama is an FX Editor and Analyst with FXstreet having principally focus area on Asia and European markets with commodity, currency and equities coverage. He is stationed in the Indian capital city of Delhi.

EUR/USD looks to stabilize near 1.1600 as focus shifts to US data

EUR/USD is looking to stabilize near 1.1600 in the European session on Wednesday as traders breathe a sigh of relief before the top-tier US ADP jobs and ISM Services PMI data. A pause in the US Dollar uptrend helps the pair's recovery, but surging energy prices due to the Iran war will likely remain a drag.

GBP/USD stays weak near 1.3350 as USD preserves gains

GBP/USD stays in the red below 1.3350 in the European session on Wednesday. Escalating conflict in the Middle East keeps the "flight to safety" theme intact, supporting the US Dollar against the Pound Sterling. Traders will take more cues from the US ADP Employment and ISM Services Purchasing Managers Index reports, which are due later on Wednesday.

Gold retains positive bias amid sustained safe-haven flows and modest USD pullback

Gold maintains its offered tone through the first half of the European session, though it lacks follow-through and remains below the $5,200 mark. Investors remain concerned about a prolonged conflict in the Middle East and its impact on the global economy amid an already uncertain environment.

ADP Employment Report set to signal stronger February jobs growth, little effect on Fed outlook

The Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Research Institute will release its monthly report on private-sector job creation for February on Wednesday. The so-called ADP Employment Change report is expected to show that the United States private sector added 50K new positions in the month, following the 22K gained in January.

Asian stocks fall as South Korea’s KOSPI slumps over 10%

Asian equities drop on Middle East tensions; the MSCI Asia Pacific Index falls up to 4%. South Korea’s KOSPI fell 10.71% near 5,170, with the Korean Won weakened past 1,500 per dollar.

Solana Price Forecast: SOL consolidation near resistance as ETF inflows offer mild support

Solana price is facing slight rejection as it approaches the upper boundary of the consolidation range at around $88 on Wednesday. Institutional demand is strengthening as spot Exchange Traded Funds recorded two consecutive inflows so far this week.