Morgan Stanley: Key focus for today’s FOMC Minutes

Morgan Stanley expects few surprises from today’s FOMC minutes, given Chair Powell’s more recent testimony in mid-February. However, the minutes may provide insight into how Fed officials view inflation progress, trade policy risks, and the overall stance of monetary policy.

Key Points:

• Disinflation Assessment:

  • The Fed remains confident in further disinflation, but some members may have different views on the pace of progress.

• Tariffs & Policy Uncertainty:

  • The potential effects of tariffs on inflation and growth are unclear, and the minutes could offer insight into internal Fed discussions.

• Current Policy Restrictiveness:

  • Debate continues on whether rates are still too high or appropriately restrictive.
  • Market pricing has moved toward a slower cutting cycle, and the Fed’s internal stance on this will be closely watched.

Conclusion:

The FOMC minutes may not move markets significantly, but they could reveal diverging views among Fed officials on inflation progress, tariff risks, and how restrictive current policy really is. The Fed’s message remains clear: “not in a hurry to cut.”

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This article was written by Adam Button at www.forexlive.com.