RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Singapore Maintains Steady Monetary Outlook as Positive Output Gap Persists into 2025 
Japan’s Finance Minister Signals Alignment With BOJ as Rate Hike Speculation Grows 
BOJ Signals Imminent Interest Rate Hike Amid Strengthening Economic Conditions 
Fed Rate Cut Odds Rise as December Decision Looks Increasingly Divided 
New RBNZ Governor Anna Breman Aims to Restore Stability After Tumultuous Years 
BOK Expected to Hold Rates at 2.50% as Housing and Currency Pressures Persist 
Brazil Central Bank Plans $2 Billion Dollar Auctions to Support FX Liquidity 
Fed Officials Split as Powell Weighs December Interest Rate Cut 
Indonesia Aims to Strengthen Rupiah as Central Bank Targets 16,400–16,500 Level 
The Federal Reserve FOMC left interest rates flat at 4.25%-4.5% in its January meeting, the minutes released on February 19, 2025, indicated. The committee voted on this by a unanimous vote. The Fed awaits further progress toward inflation before acting on the target range. Policy actions, for example, in the form of tariffs, are feared by the officials to be over the 2% target to leave inflation.
FOMC members were upbeat in their expectations of the economy, which they attributed to optimism about ease of government regulations and changing tax policies. Concurrently, the committee acknowledged the risk to the inflation projection, for instance, to changing trade and immigration policies. Specifically, the minutes indicated worries about President Trump's tariffs and their potential impact on inflation. Firms would pass on higher input costs due to potential tariffs to customers.
The Fed will meet again on March 18-19, 2025. Market predictions are anticipating a potential 0.25% July rate reduction.
