Federal Reserve policymakers will probably hike the target range for the federal funds rate at their upcoming meeting, according to results recently provided by the CME FedWatch Tool.
The members of the Federal Open Market Committee are 70.5% likely to opt for a 25 basis-point increase in the benchmark rate when they meet next month, according to figures pulled from this highly visible data source around 5 p.m. EST.
The chart below, which is calculated using 30-Day Fed Fund futures pricing data, illustrates these odds:
These policymakers have ratcheted up the aforementioned target range by 500 basis points since early 2022, bringing it to its highest level since summer 2007.
Additional increases could impact risk assets like cryptocurrencies and stocks by giving investors greater incentive to purchase certain yield-bearing financial instruments.
As the federal funds rate pushes higher, it places upward pressure on broader interest rates, which could in turn affect the payments provided by longer-term fixed-income securities.
Inflation Measure Remains High
Another development that could impact the decisions of Fed policymakers is the latest U.S. inflation data, which showed that the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index rose 4.4% during the 12 months through April, according to data supplied by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
This measure, which has repeatedly been described as the Fed’s favorite, climbed 0.8% from the month before, additional figures reveal.
This latest news could give FOMC members greater incentive to engage in further rate hikes in order to bring stubbornly persistent inflationary pressures, which have consistently generated headlines over the last few years, under control.
Disclosure: I own some bitcoin, bitcoin cash, litecoin, ether, EOS and sol.
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