empty
07.05.2025 07:49 PM
The Fed to Hold Rates Despite Pressure

The euro and the pound remain range-bound ahead of a key meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve, where officials are expected to leave interest rates unchanged as they await clarity on the Trump administration's trade policy. This move is likely to disappoint the president and those seeking clear answers about the next steps of the U.S. central bank.

This image is no longer relevant

The aggressive tariff policy on imported goods is undermining consumer confidence, and households are preparing for a potential surge in consumer prices and weakening labor market conditions. However, recent data show that inflation slowed in March, and the unemployment rate remained unchanged in April. At the same time, U.S. GDP declined in the first quarter of this year following strong growth in Q4 2024.

Fed officials have recently emphasized in public remarks that despite an unusually high level of uncertainty, monetary policy remains in a good place, allowing them to confidently pursue their dual mandate of maximum employment and stable prices.

I expect we'll also hear that uncertainty in this environment remains high, and the Fed is ready to act—or not—as needed to fulfill both sides of its mandate.

The Fed's interest rate decision will be announced this evening. Afterward, Chairman Jerome Powell will hold a press conference. Investors will closely watch to see if Powell repeats, as he has many times before, that policymakers are "in no hurry" to adjust rates.

Futures markets currently price in a quarter-point rate cut at the July 29–30 Fed meeting and two or three more by year-end. Economists are expecting only two cuts starting in September.

In the post-meeting statement, officials are likely to keep the benchmark rate in the 4.25%–4.5% range and reiterate their March 19 statement language, noting that they remain attentive to the risks on both sides of their dual mandate. Some minor changes might appear in the first paragraph of the statement, which describes economic conditions. As I noted above, the GDP contraction in Q1—driven by imports—won't allow the committee to repeat that overall economic activity continued to expand at a solid pace.

Powell is expected to push back against rate cuts. However, officials like Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin and Fed Governor Adriana Kugler have recently voiced concerns that inflation expectations could weaken. Yet with solid April wage growth, the reasons to cut rates diminish. Fed officials may again rely on signs of labor market strength to justify a wait-and-see stance, as April hiring exceeded payroll expectations and unemployment held around 4.2%. Policymakers will likely also repeat that uncertainty surrounding their economic outlook has increased or remains elevated.

It's hard to predict how the market will react to all this. But most likely, if Powell's comments lean dovish, the dollar will find support.

As for the current EUR/USD technical picture, buyers now need to target the 1.1379 level. Only a break above it would allow a push toward 1.1415. From there, the pair could reach 1.1453, though doing so without support from large players may be difficult. The ultimate target would be the 1.1487 high. If the pair declines, I expect significant buying activity only around the 1.1341 level. If there's no interest there, it would be wise to wait for a test of the 1.1305 low or open long positions from 1.1269.

Regarding the GBP/USD technical picture, pound buyers need to reclaim the nearest resistance at 1.3365. Only then can the pair aim for 1.3399, above which a breakout would be rather difficult. The final target would be the 1.3437 level. If the pair falls, bears will try to regain control over 1.3335. If successful, a break of this range would deliver a major blow to the bulls and push GBP/USD toward the 1.3301 low, with potential to extend the move to 1.3260.

Jakub Novak,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

Gold Rebounds as Fiscal Risks Resurface

Gold is swinging between extremes as spring draws to a close. The week ending May 16 was the worst for the precious metal due to optimism that, following a trade

Marek Petkovich 17:31 2025-05-23 UTC+2

AUD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

Today, the AUD/JPY pair has started to attract buying interest, halting its pullback from the monthly high as demand for the Australian dollar emerges. Today's talks between U.S. Deputy Secretary

Irina Yanina 17:25 2025-05-23 UTC+2

USD/CAD. Analysis and Forecast

The pair is trending lower, dropping close to the key psychological level of 1.3800 amid broad-based U.S. dollar weakness. Traders have raised their expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts following

Irina Yanina 16:43 2025-05-23 UTC+2

USD declares war on EUR

What's new is often just what's been forgotten. As spring draws to a close, the long-dismissed mantra "sell America" is making a comeback in markets. The phrase gained traction following

Marek Petkovich 14:59 2025-05-23 UTC+2

USD/JPY: what happens with yen?

The USD/JPY pair is experiencing heightened price turbulence. At the end of April, the pair sharply declined, hitting a 7-month low at 139.90. Then, last week, a northbound impulse pushed

Irina Manzenko 13:52 2025-05-23 UTC+2

Market Chaos to Continue (There is a likelihood of continued local declines in #USDX and gold prices)

Markets continue to act blindly amid the chaotic actions of Donald Trump, who is trying to pull the U.S. out of a deep, all-encompassing crisis like Baron Munchausen pulling himself

Pati Gani 10:19 2025-05-23 UTC+2

The Market Tucks Its Tail

A necessary project at the wrong time. The House of Representatives has approved Donald Trump's tax cut initiative. The President hopes it will help stimulate the economy and offset shortcomings

Marek Petkovich 09:29 2025-05-23 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 23: No Talks, but Hang in There

On Thursday, the GBP/USD currency pair traded relatively calmly, but like EUR/USD, it has been rising for two weeks. At first glance, one might wonder what reasons traders have

Paolo Greco 08:15 2025-05-23 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 23: The Rebellion Against the Dollar Continues

The EUR/USD currency pair traded relatively calmly on Thursday, yet it has risen significantly over the past two weeks. This movement can be interpreted in several ways. From a technical

Paolo Greco 08:15 2025-05-23 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 23? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Very few macroeconomic reports are scheduled for Friday. Only two are noteworthy: the final estimate of Germany's Q1 GDP and April's UK retail sales data. The German GDP report

Paolo Greco 05:58 2025-05-23 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.