Market await FOMC Interest rate decision

In what has been a heavily anticipated market event at 4:00am EST Australia, the US federal Reserve is set to release its changed Federal Funds rate for the quarter. The rate changes are an important aspect of keeping inflation under control as higher interest rates impact on consumer and business borrowing and investment.

The market has mostly priced in a 75 bps hike but has not ruled out the potential for a more aggressive 100 bps jump. There is currently a 75/80% chance of a 75 bps increase and 15/20% chance of 100 point hike. After a hawkish build up  to the meeting including a very hawkish attitude that came out ‘Jackson Hole’ and hotter than expected CPI and Core CPI figures has led to increase in the level of hawkishness coming out of the Federal Reserve.

Consequently, the stock market has taken a steep dive and growth stocks have been hit the hardest. On the other hand, the USD has continued its impressive leap up. Furthermore, that yield curves of the 2 year and the 10 year bonds have extended their divergence, further indicating the potential of a recession.

The effect of the change may be substantial, especially if the change is a 100 bps and will likely see a sell down of the equities market. It may also reduce the potential for a soft landing. In addition, the comments and economic forecast from the Federal Reserve will be telling, as it will provide the market with some indication of what the future rate hikes could be.

The US Dollar has been one of the top performing assets during the recent months of volatility and if the FOMC meeting becomes more hawkish it will only increase the value of the USD. The impact will be reversed for growth stocks and Cryptocurrency. With higher interest rates growth assets typically struggle as money flows into safer assets such as gold and the USD.

Ultimately the economic forecasts that come out of this FOMC meeting and the rate changes will influence the global market.