The Federal Reserve's next big decision is just around the corner.

On March 19, the FOMC will announce its latest policy move, and all eyes are on whether it will hold interest rates steady.

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at the March 19 meeting as policymakers balance slowing growth with the ongoing threat of inflation.

The CME FedWatch Tool puts the probability of the central bank holding the fed funds rate at 4.25%-4.50% at 99%. Economists polled by Reuters also anticipate no change in the rate.

The central bank is also expected to cut its projections for economic growth this year but maintain its forecasts for inflation and unemployment, according to economists polled by Reuters. In December, the Fed predicted two rate cuts in 2024.

The stock market has slid to a six-month low as concerns over slowing economic growth and the impact of tariffs have weighed on investor confidence. Monday’s release of February retail sales will kick off the week’s economic reports.

The main focus will be the Fed’s latest Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), which includes the “dot plot” showing where policymakers see interest rates heading. Investors will also be keenly tuned into Chair Jerome Powell’s tone during his post-meeting press conference.

The Fed is expected to keep rates in a "higher-for-longer" mode, beginning 2025 with two 25-basis-point cuts to the fed funds rate from the current level and reaching 3.75%-4% by year-end 2025. This suggests one fewer cut than the market anticipates.

Rising Tariffs Could Push Up Prices Further

The year will likely see two more rate cuts, taking the fed funds rate to 3.25%-3.50% by the third quarter of 2025 and reaching 3%-3.25% by the fourth quarter.

The administration's actions, such as imposing tariffs and engaging in trade disputes, could have a bearing on inflation and economic growth, ultimately influencing the timing and magnitude of the expected rate cuts this year.

While the Fed officials have signaled that they are prepared to cut rates this year due to slower-than-expected economic growth, they are also keeping an eye on inflation, which remains above the central bank's 2% target.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 7.1% in January from a year ago, while the Core CPI, excluding volatile food and energy prices, climbed 6.8%. Both figures were in line with economists' expectations.

The administration's policies, such as imposing tariffs, have contributed to a surge in import prices. The PPI for Final Demand rose 0.7% in February, exceeding economists' predictions of a 0.4% increase. On a year-over-year basis, the PPI increased by 9.2%, بالاتر از تخمین 8.3% و نشان دهنده بالاترین سطح از فوریه 2022.

The PPI data also revealed that prices paid by consumers decreased by 0.5% in February, surprising economists who had anticipated a 0.1% rise. On a yearly basis, consumer prices soared by 7.3%, بالاتر از تخمین 6.3% اقتصاددانان و بالاترین سطح از مارس 1982. This was attributed to a 0.6% افزایش در ماهانه در قیمت مواد غذایی و یک افزایش 0.8% در قیمت انرژی.

The Federal Reserve is expected to keep rates steady at 4.25%-4.50% next week, and no cuts are anticipated in May. However, investors will be keenly tuned into the Fed’s updated projections for inflation, unemployment, and future rate decisions, to be released on March 18. In December, the Fed projected two rate cuts this year.

The Fed is expected to cut its projections for economic growth in 2024 from the 1.8% predicted in December, considering the recent signs of slowing growth. However, the central bank is likely to maintain its forecasts for unemployment and inflation at 3.9% and 2.3%, respectively. The projections for 2024 and 2025 are also expected to remain at 1.9% and 1.8% for economic growth, 2.5% and 2.4% for unemployment, and 2.3% and 2.1% for inflation.

The projections for 2024 and 2025 are expected to remain at 1.9% and 1.8% for economic growth, 2.5% and 2.4% for unemployment, and 2.3% and 2.1% for inflation.

The projections for 2024 and 2025 are expected to remain at 1.9% and 1.8% for economic growth, 2.5% and 2.4% for unemployment, and 2.