Bank of Japan Signals Cautious Path Toward Further Rate Hikes Amid Yen Weakness 
RBA Expected to Raise Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points in February, ANZ Forecast Says 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
ECB’s Cipollone Backs Digital Euro as Europe Pushes for Payment System Independence 
BOJ Rate Decision in Focus as Yen Weakness and Inflation Shape Market Outlook 
Bank of Canada Holds Interest Rate at 2.25% Amid Trade and Global Uncertainty 
Jerome Powell Attends Supreme Court Hearing on Trump Effort to Fire Fed Governor, Calling It Historic 
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.
