Markets Brace for Fed’s “Hawkish Cut”
Financial markets are treading water this morning ahead of the year’s last Federal Reserve decision. US Treasury yields and the dollar are holding in narrow trading ranges, equity markets are pushing higher, and commodity prices are moving sideways. Market participants are nearly unanimous in expecting the Fed to deliver a “hawkish cut” this afternoon. After a series of data releases showing labour markets losing momentum and inflation holding steady, policymakers are widely believed likely to lower the federal funds target range by a quarter point to 4.25-4.50 percent – but the “dot plot” summary of economic projections is seen signalling...