19 Feb 2015
FOMC minutes: Less hawkish than expected - Westpac
FXStreet (Bali) - The FOMC minutes were less hawkish than the market had expected, notes Sean Callow, FX Strategist at Westpac.
Key Quotes
"The FOMC minutes were less hawkish than the market had expected. Members suggested caution regarding removal of the word “patient” and many members were inclined to keep the policy rate at zero for longer. Members wanted more evidence of growth and higher inflation. Still, the FOMC remained upbeat on growth and the job market. WSJ Fedwatcher Hilsenrath tried to put a more hawkish spin on the minutes."
"US 10yr treasury yields spiked around noon London time to 2.16% - a six week high – but then returned to 2.12% before the minutes sparked a tumble to 2.04-2.05%, steadying at 2.08%. Fed fund rate futures have shifted the expected hike date from July to August. The S&P 500 trimmed its losses from -0.3% to about flat after the minutes. Earlier data on IP and housing starts was mixed."
Key Quotes
"The FOMC minutes were less hawkish than the market had expected. Members suggested caution regarding removal of the word “patient” and many members were inclined to keep the policy rate at zero for longer. Members wanted more evidence of growth and higher inflation. Still, the FOMC remained upbeat on growth and the job market. WSJ Fedwatcher Hilsenrath tried to put a more hawkish spin on the minutes."
"US 10yr treasury yields spiked around noon London time to 2.16% - a six week high – but then returned to 2.12% before the minutes sparked a tumble to 2.04-2.05%, steadying at 2.08%. Fed fund rate futures have shifted the expected hike date from July to August. The S&P 500 trimmed its losses from -0.3% to about flat after the minutes. Earlier data on IP and housing starts was mixed."