'Significant challenges lie ahead' for the Federal Reserve

'Uncertainty' surrounding inflation

clock • 2 min read

At the latest Federal Reserve meeting yesterday, US officials moved to keep rates steady at 0.25% and to maintain the pace of its quantitative easing programme but signalled to markets that hikes to interest rates would come into effect from March onwards.

The move was broadly in line with expectations and some commentators were quick to reassure markets that the Fed's actions would spell good news for equities. "The tone has been mostly cautious as growth remains front and centre in the Fed's dual mandate with inflation running hot. Powell must walk the thin tightrope of tempering inflation whilst making sure to not spook economic growth in doing so," said Alex Livingstone, head of trading for FX & ETFs at Titan Asset Management. "The recent pivot towards pricing a progressively higher rate environment means equities can rebound from h...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

Global small-caps and the case for direct engagement

Global small-caps and the case for direct engagement

'We firmly believe these interactions have significant merit'

Tobias Bucks and Simon Wood
clock 07 April 2025 • 4 min read
Into the Spider-Verse we go: Chris Justham assesses Trump Mk II

Into the Spider-Verse we go: Chris Justham assesses Trump Mk II

'The cognitive dissonance when your beliefs don't add up cause very real pain'

Chris Justham
clock 04 April 2025 • 3 min read
Investors hold back on equity exodus as they brace for Trump's next move

Investors hold back on equity exodus as they brace for Trump's next move

UK equity funds suffer

Linus Uhlig
clock 03 April 2025 • 2 min read