Market Briefing: Japanese Intervention and Fed Aftershocks Pummel Currency Markets
Global asset prices plunged and yield differentials tilted violently in the dollar’s favour yesterday after the Federal Reserve turned more hawkish than expected. The central bank hiked by 75 basis points for a third time, but the “dot plot” forecasts inflicted more damage on markets, showing that a solid majority of members expect to raise rates above 4.5 percent next year – even if this risks an economic downturn. Market-implied pricing shot up during the announcement and press conference, with the Federal Funds rate now expected to end the year around 4.4 percent, up from 4.2 percent yesterday morning. The...