Following the higher-than-expected US inflation data today, the FED minutes, which the entire cryptocurrency market and traditional markets focused on, were finally published.
The minutes in question belong to the meeting in March where the FED left interest rates constant.
Here are the most important sections from the minutes published by the FED:
- FED minutes show that there is uncertainty about the continuity of high inflation.
- Almost all FED officials found it appropriate to cut interest rates this year.
- Almost all of those who attended the FED's meeting on March 19-20 were of the opinion that it would be appropriate to switch to a less restrictive policy stance at some point this year.
- Respondents generally said the latest data “does not increase confidence” that inflation is sustainably moving towards 2%.
- …
Earlier today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the consumer price index for March. Inflation was higher than expected for the third month in a row, with both headline CPI and core CPI, which excludes food and energy components, rising 0.4% during the month. Last month's employment report was also announced on Friday. The discussions of FED officials at the March FOMC meeting came before all this data.
The next meeting of the FOMC will be held between April 30 and May 1. Yesterday, interest rate futures markets priced the odds of no change in the fed-funds rate as very high, followed by a nearly 60% chance of a cut in June.
*This is not investment advice.