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FOMC rate decision takes center stage today, with a 25bps rate cut widely anticipated, lowering the federal funds rate to 4.25–4.50%. Markets see virtually no chance of a different outcome, making the focus squarely on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s statement and the updated economic projections. Expectations are for Fed to signal a slower pace of easing in 2025, aligning with signs of a resilient economy and sticky inflation.

Three key questions arise from today’s new projections.

First, the possibility of a pause in January is in focus. With markets pricing an 84% probability of no rate change at the next meeting, the voting split within the FOMC could hint at how close policymakers are to a pause in the easing cycle.

Second, attention will shift to the pace of easing in 2025. Fed’s prior projections and dot plot suggested a median rate of 3.4% by the end of next year. Markets are currently pricing in a 33% chance of rates falling to 3.75–4.00% by December 2025. A significant upward revision in Fed’s median forecast would signal caution about inflation persistence and align with tighter-than-expected monetary policy.

Third, the neutral rate will be scrutinized. The previous projection of a longer-run rate was 2.9%, slightly higher than 2.8% in June. A move toward or above 3% could be psychologically significant, signaling higher baseline expectations for economic growth and inflation stability in the post-tightening environment.

In terms of market reactions, Fed’s "hawkish cut" could lift both the 10-year Yield and Dollar Index. However, breaking out of current ranges will require more than today’s decision.

For the DXY, resistance at 108.07 must be cleared to confirm underlying bullish momentum, which would likely need support from a 10-year yield break above 4.505%. These breakouts would likely hinge on clarity around fiscal and trade policies from the incoming administration.

Canada joined the global political gloom. The sudden resignation of the finance minister on Monday started raising questions about Trudeau’s leadership as politicians there try to find ways to deal with economic slowdown topped by Trump’s tariff threats. Happily for the Bank of Canada (BoC), inflation dropped below the 2% target for the second time in three months hinting that the central bank could at least remain supportive when politicians are not. The USDCAD spiked to the highest levels since the pandemic. The Loonie is now oversold versus the US dollar and retreats very rapidly against the euro since the November peak. Oil prices aren’t adding to the selloff these days, but they are not helping either. As such, the political problems pave the way for further Loonie weakness, price pullbacks in the USDCAD and EURCAD could be interesting opportunities to jump on the trend.

A bit lower on the map, Brazil intervened to stop the bleeding of the real after the currency tanked more than 20% against the greenback to an all-time-low this year. Ballooning debt and deficit are taking a toll on the country’s finances as – remember – not everyone can balloon debt infinitely and make the rest of the world pay for it. This is the major differences between what we call developed countries and their emerging market peers.

Because look, the French National Assembly just adopted a stopgap budget bill to avoid a government shutdown from January as the French politicians took down a government that tempted to control, and to narrow the budget deficit. And yet, the French 10-year yield – though higher on the latest shenanigans - is not alarmingly higher. The outlook for France is not brilliant, however.

Investors in the US have a different problem: the retail sales, there, has again been higher than expected by analysts, again pointed at resilient consumer spending and again highlighted the needlessness of another rate cut from the Federal Reserve (Fed) today. But the Fed will announce a 25bp cut no matter what.

The more the Fed’s rate cuts diverge from economic fundamentals, the stronger the hawkish expectations for the future become. Some expect that the Fed could cut only twice next year while others think that the Fed’s premature and rapid cuts will require a rate hike next year. But I would be surprised to see a meaningful reversal in the Fed’s rate cutting plans at today’s announcement. In the worst-case scenario, Fed officials might signal one fewer rate cut on average for next year. I expect them to stick to the familiar ‘inflation is moving toward target’ rhetoric at this pre-Xmas meeting, paving the way for the Santa rally to unfold.

The S&P500 and Nasdaq eased yesterday as the US 2-year yield shortly spiked to 4.30%, Broadcom retreated nearly 4% but after a 38% rally in the previous two sessions, while Nvidia extended gains in the correction territory. If you are asking when is it a good time to buy a dip in Nvidia, I would say near $120 per share, that matches the 23.6% retracement on the AI rally. It’s still a 7.5% away from yesterday’s close near $130 per share.

In Europe, the Stoxx 600 remains downbeat and is about to test the 500 to the downside, as the Xmas magic is really not operating in Europe this year. The EURUSD hovers between gains and losses around 30 pips around the 1.05 psychological mark. The Fed’s decision will probably give a fresh direction to the pair. A sufficiently accommodative Fed statement and dot plot could give support to the EURUSD and help it to recover above the 1.05 mark – that’s my base case scenario. But if the Fed turns realistically less dovish – both of which is not their thing – we could see the US dollar extend gains and pave the way for a further downside correction in the EURUSD. If that’s the case, the parity bets will rapidly come back to the headlines.

Across the Channel, the figures come in but they are not easy to interpret. Yesterday’s jobs data looked strong with strong employment, low claims and nice earnings growth figures. And along with today’s inflation print dashed the likelihood of another rate cut this week from the Bank of England (BoE). But the private sector shed nearly 200’000 jobs this year – perfectly in contrast with the public sector. It’s obviously not good news for the economy and demands some support from the BoE – a support that the BoE won’t provide easily to balance out the government’s spending plans unless the economy weakens due to tax hikes before it improves thanks to spending. Looking at the chart, we are about to see a death cross formation on the daily chart – where the 50-DMA is about to dive below the 200-DMA – hinting that the selloff could accelerate and send Cable toward the 1.25 on worries that the UK economy will weaken before it rebounds.

In focus today

Focus today will be on tonight's FOMC meeting. We expect a 25bp cut, which is also fully discounted by markets. Apart from the rate decision, market attention will be on the updated rate projections, and especially on the FOMC's latest view on the terminal rate level. We think Chair Powell will aim for a neutral tone in his remarks, but he is still likely to verbally open the door for slowing the pace of cuts. See Fed preview: Gauging for neutral, 13 December for more details.

The UK November inflation out at 8:00 CET will be the data release to watch. Focus is on service inflation, which is expected to continue to show signs of stickiness around the 5% mark. Combined with the hawkish data surprises this week, this will support our call for a BoE pause tomorrow.

Today's calendar also features the final euro area inflation figures for November, which will provide details on the drivers behind the drop in the services component. Additionally, ECB's Lane and Muller are on the wire before noon.

Economic and market news

In the US, retail sales figures landed close to expectations at 0.4% y/y in November when measured by the control group (which strips out the most volatile components). Car sales and online sales contributed positively, while other more discretionary categories (furniture, electronics, restaurants) saw weaker or negative sales growth. This could be a signal of a tad more cautious consumer, but of course the monthly data is volatile as always.

In Germany, the IFO indicator for December declined more than expected from 85.7 to 84.7, which can mainly be attributed to lower expectations for the economy. The assessment of the current situation picked up slightly, which was in line with what the comparable PMI survey signalled earlier this week. Overall, soft indicators for the German economy continue to indicate that activity contracted in Q4.

In France, several major banks were downgraded by Moody's yesterday, following last week's sovereign rating cut due to the government collapse and the rejection of the 2025 budget. The 10-year French-German government yield spread is currently trading at 80bp, but we see a high likelihood that the spread will go to 100bp early next year.

In the UK, wage growth (excluding bonuses) picked up more than expected from 5.0% to 5.2% y/y in the three months to October. Moreover, payrolls decreased by 35,000 in November, vacancies declined, and the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3% in October. Combined with the stronger than expected PMIs, this week's UK data releases have so far highlighted why the BoE is set to continue lagging European peers in the easing cycle.

Equities: Global equities were lower yesterday, with a somewhat unusual sector rotation in which consumer discretionary outperformed alongside healthcare. However, the more interesting aspect is the very narrow leadership we have observed recently. To provide a few more examples: the Dow is now down for nine consecutive days, which has not happened in 45 years. At the same time the Nasdaq achieved a record high closing yesterday. Additionally, Tesla has risen in nine of the last ten sessions, significantly contributing to the superior performance of the consumer discretionary sector. The point here is that we have not had any macroeconomic, microeconomic, or monetary policy news that can explain or justify this rotation. However, there is a unique political and CEO situation in the US, coupled with an exuberant market where investors are hunting for winners. In the US yesterday, the Dow declined by 0.6%, the S&P 500 by 0.4%, the Nasdaq by 0.3%, and the Russell 2000 by 1.2%. Asian markets are mixed this morning. European futures are marginally lower, while US futures, including the Dow, are marginally higher.

FI: It was a quiet Tuesday in European rates markets with most of the action in the UK market. The higher-than-expected UK wage figures pushed 10Y GILT yields up by 8bp, while the implied change in the BoE bank rate until end-2025 moved up from -70bp to -55bp. Our forecast is -150bp, leaving substantial downside risk to UK rates for the coming 12 months. EGB yields were close to unchanged across tenors yesterday in line with the UST curve. The 5y5y EUR inflation swap rate moved back to 2%, dropping 3bp throughout the session.

FX: EUR/USD continues to trade close to 1.05 and USD/JPY within 153-154 ahead of tonight's Fed. Sterling has firmed and cable is back at 1.27, while the antipodeans continue to slide vs the USD. Cable is back at 1.27. USD/CAD has breached 1.43 and takes out new multi-year highs. EUR/SEK has erased some of yesterday's losses amid poor risk appetite and trades at 11.50, while EUR/NOK has sidelined around 11.75.

UK CPI accelerated from 2.3% yoy to 2.6% yoy in November, matched expectations.Core CPI, (excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco), accelerated from 3.3% yoy to 3.5% yoy, below expectation of 3.6% yoy. CPI goods annual rate rose from -0.3% yoy to 0.4% yoy , while CPI services annual rate was unchanged at 5.0% yoy.

Full UK CPI release here.

Japan’s exports rose 3.8% yoy in November to JPY 9.152T, supported by increased shipments of chip-making equipment to Taiwan and nonferrous metals to China, marking the second consecutive month of export growth. Imports, however, fell -3.8% yoy to JPY 9.270T, marking their first decline in eight months due to reduced demand for crude oil from Saudi Arabia and electronics parts from Taiwan.

The overall trade deficit stood at JPY -117.6B, extending its red streak to five months. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the deficit widened to JPY -384B from JPY -229B in October, as imports increased 1.9% mom, outpacing the 0.2% mom rise in exports.

Trade with key partners highlighted persistent imbalances. Japan recorded a JPY 664.03B trade surplus with the US, despite exports falling -8.0% yoy, while imports dipped slightly by -0.6% yoy.

Conversely, its trade deficit with China expanded to JPY 682B, as exports grew 4.1% yoy, and imports rose 4.2% yoy.

The trade gap with the EUR remained significant at JPY 210.19B, with exports plunging -12.5% yoy, while imports decreased -5.4% yoy.

Short Term Elliott Wave View in Bitcoin (BTCUSD) suggests rally from 6 September 2024 low is in progress as a 5 waves impulse. Up from 6 September, wave 1 ended at 66508 and dips in wave 2 ended at 58867. The crypto-currency has extended higher in wave 3 towards 103647 as the 1 hour chart below. Pullback in wave 4 unfolded as a zigzag Elliott Wave structure. Down from wave 3, wave ((a)) ended at 97917 and wave ((b)) ended at 99577. Wave ((c)) lower ended at 92310 which completed wave 4 in higher degree.

Bitcoin has resumed higher in wave 5. Up from wave 4, wave ((i)) ended at 101251 and wave ((ii)) pullback ended at 94249 as a zigzag structure. Down from wave ((i)), wave (a) ended at 98752 and wave (b) ended at 101407. Wave (c) lower ended at 94249 which completed wave ((ii)) in higher degree. The crypto-currency has extended higher in wave ((iii)). Up from wave ((ii)), wave (i) ended at 102582 and pullback in wave (ii) ended at 99250. Wave (iii) higher ended at 107821. Pullback in wave (iv) is in progress as an expanded flat before it turns higher again. Near term, as far as pivot at 92310 low stays intact, expect dips to find support in 3, 7, or 11 swing and the crypto-currency to extend higher.

Bitcoin (BTCUSD 60 Minutes Elliott Wave Chart

BTCUSD Elliott Wave Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkDiQVf9Hiw

Key Highlights

• Gold failed to clear the $2,725 resistance and corrected gains.
• A connecting bullish trend line is forming with support at $2,630 on the 4-hour chart.
• Oil prices are struggling to clear the $71.50 resistance.
• EUR/USD could decline if it breaks the 1.0450 support level.

Gold Price Technical Analysis

Gold prices remained well-bid near the $2,615 zone against the US Dollar. The price formed a base and started a fresh increase above $2,640 and $2,680.

The 4-hour chart of XAU/USD indicates that the price even climbed above $2,700 but struggled to clear the $2,725 level. As a result, there was a bearish reaction below the $2,700 and $2,680 levels. The price dipped below the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $2,613 swing low to the $2,726 high.

It even settled below the 100 Simple Moving Average (red, 4 hours) and the 200 Simple Moving Average (green, 4 hours). On the downside, initial support is near the $2,630.

There is also a connecting bullish trend line forming with support at $2,630 on the same chart. The first major support is near the $2,610 level. The main support is now $2,600. A downside break below the $2,600 support might call for more downsides.

The next major support is near the $2,575 level. On the upside, immediate resistance is near the $2,665 level. The first major resistance sits near the $2,670 level.

A clear move above the $2,670 resistance could open the doors for more upsides. The next major resistance could be $2,700, above which the price could rally toward the $2,720 level.

Looking at Oil, there was a decent increase, but the bulls seem to be facing hurdles near the $71.50 level.

Economic Releases to Watch Today

• Euro Zone CPI for Nov 2024 (YoY) - Forecast +2.3%, versus +2.3% previous.
• Euro Zone CPI for Nov 2024 (MoM) - Forecast -0.3%, versus -0.3% previous.
• US Housing Starts for Nov 2024 (MoM) – Forecast 1.340M, versus 1.311M previous.
• US Building Permits for Nov 2024 (MoM) – Forecast 1.430M, versus 1.419M previous.

• Fed is widely expected to cut rates by 25 bps on Wednesday
• But updated dot plot may signal fewer cuts in 2025
• Can the dollar extend its rebound or is a correction due?
• Powell’s press conference at 19:30 GMT could hold the key

Rate cut bets have been pared back

The US Federal Reserve meets this week for the last time in 2024 and it looks set to end the year with its third rate cut since September. However, it’s only in the past week or two that investors have become confident that the central bank will deliver a 25-basis-point reduction in the Fed funds rate when it announces its decision at 19:00 GMT on Wednesday.

A string of upbeat economic indicators as well as inflation edging higher over the last couple of months, not to mention of course Trump’s election victory, have all led to a drastic repricing of the expected number of rate cuts next year. Donald Trump’s re-election and the implications his policies could have on growth and inflation have complicated the Fed’s interest rate path at a time when the US economy continues to defy fears of a slowdown and underlying price pressures remain sticky.

All eyes on new dot plot

If the Fed does trim rates as expected in December, markets currently foresee just two more 25-bps cuts in 2025. That would be about 50 bps less than what FOMC members predicted in the September dot plot. So, what’s the likelihood that the December dot plot will be revised accordingly?

Most Fed officials backed the case for further rate cuts heading into the blackout period but were split on the size of easing that would be warranted with the inflation picture as it is now. With markets having already done the heavy lifting, policymakers will probably pencil in a similar path as implied by traders.

Will the Fed signal several rate cuts or a pause?

In fact, the risk for the dot plot is tilted toward a dovish surprise as some FOMC members may still be optimistic about inflation coming down substantially in 2025 and therefore being able to cut rates by at least three times. Although, if it’s evident that policymakers based their projections on not making too many assumptions about how inflationary Trump’s policies will be, investors might not be very convinced about a more dovish path.

Hence, Jay Powell’s press conference will be as closely watched as ever for gauging the Fed chief’s and his colleagues’ views on inflation and the economy. Earlier in December, Powell said that the Fed can “afford to be a little more cautious”. He is likely to reiterate that there is no rush to take rates closer to the neutral level.

The question is how strongly he will signal a pause in January and is he going to open the door to a longer pause? The odds that the Fed will stand pat in January currently stand at around 87%.

Dollar could climb to a new 2024 high

Should Powell remain worried about the prospect of inflation staying above the Fed’s 2% goal and the dot plot is predicting barely two rate cuts in 2025, the US dollar could stretch its recent bounce back. The greenback’s index against a basket of currencies could easily surpass the November 22 high of 108.07 if both Powell and the dot plot are more hawkish than anticipated.

Moreover, if any hawkish rhetoric is followed up with an uptick in the core PCE price index on Friday when the November readings are due, the dollar’s bullish streak could extend even still.

Such a move, though, would have to be backed by a similar rally in Treasury yields and this poses a downside risk for Wall Street.

If, however, Powell adopts a more balanced tone and is hopeful that there will be further progress in reducing inflation in 2025, the dollar index could pull back towards its 50-day moving average near 105.30 before attempting to breach the 105.00 level.

Clouded Outlook

On the whole, the Fed meeting may not change much about the monetary policy outlook, and this may stay the case until some of the cloud for 2025 has been lifted. Specifically, the Fed is unlikely to let its guard down on inflation until it sees that the incoming Trump administration’s policies on taxes and tariffs won’t pose a huge risk to re-igniting inflationary pressures. This means that the dollar’s downside is limited for now.

This could change, however, if the labour market starts to deteriorate unexpectedly over the coming months, in which case, the Fed won’t hesitate to lower borrowing costs even if inflation remains problematic.

• BoJ may leave rates unchanged in December's meeting
• Next rate hike may not come until March
• Policy decision is due on Thursday at 03:00 GMT
• Yen weakness continues

Market consensus overwhelmingly for steady rates

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is anticipated to keep its interest rate steady at 0.25% during its upcoming two-day meeting on December 18-19, the last one for 2024. This decision aligns with the central bank's cautious approach as it seeks more clarity on domestic wage and spending trends, as well as potential policy changes from the incoming US administration under President-elect Donald Trump.

Low rates and yen weakness

Japan's interest rates remain the lowest among developed nations due to the BoJ's long-standing policy to support the country's sluggish economy. Economists see wage growth propelling Japan's economy towards the BoJ's 2% inflation target. However, they suggest the BoJ might wait another month to assess wage-driven inflation dynamics, focusing on the positive momentum from next year's spring wage negotiations and the possible impact from Trump's trade policies.

Timing of rate hikes in question

The BoJ ended its negative interest rate policy in March and raised its short-term policy target to 0.25% in July. It has signaled its readiness to hike again if wages and prices move as projected and strengthen the conviction that Japan will durably hit 2% inflation. However, the central bank has been cautious about the timing of the next rate hike, leading to fluctuations in market expectations between November and December. Traders are almost entirely anticipating a quarter-point increase by March, as Governor Ueda and his  colleagues have reiterated that they are ready to raise rates again in response to a strengthening economy, increasing earnings, and inflation exceeding the target.

Currency risks: Yen's influence on BoJ decisions

Currency risks also play a significant role in the BoJ's decision-making process. Analysts pointed out that the yen's value against the dollar could influence the central bank's actions. A stronger US dollar could weigh on the yen and accelerate the BoJ's policy normalization, while a weaker yen supports Japan's reflation efforts.

Currently, dollar/yen is easing after six consecutive green days but is standing above the 200-day simple moving average (SMA) at 152.10, which is acting as a strong support level. Any upside pressure may send the market to the three-and-a-half-month high of 156.75. However, a descending move below the 151.10 support and the short-term uptrend line may increase the chances for a bearish retracement.