BOJ Holds Interest Rates Steady, Upgrades Growth and Inflation Outlook for Japan 
U.S. Prosecutors Investigate Fed Chair Jerome Powell Over Headquarters Renovation 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Thailand Economy Faces Competitiveness Challenges as Strong Baht and U.S. Tariffs Pressure Exports 
South Korea Vows Action to Stabilize Won as Currency Weakens Despite Strong Fundamentals 
China Holds Loan Prime Rates Steady in January as Market Expectations Align 
New York Fed President John Williams Signals Rate Hold as Economy Seen Strong in 2026 
Fed’s Anna Paulson Signals Rate Cuts May Come Later as Inflation Cools and Labor Market Stabilizes 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
The Fed will round up their second day of meetings today as markets heavily anticipate the 2 p.m. press release. Analysts across the spectrum do not expect a rate increase at this meeting, approximating the chances of a hike at a meager 4 percent. Analysts will instead focus on how the Fed will react to the recent mixed economic data and whether current conditions warrant a December rate hike. If wording, such as the U.S. economy is expanding at a "moderate" pace and the employment market is seeing "solid" job gains and "declining" unemployment, in the press release remains true then a December rate increase becomes a realistic possibility.
"For the rest of 2015 the Fed will remain dependent on strong economic data. Firm growth in every area from employment and inflation to retail sales and manufacturing is necessary for the committee to consider December as a time to raise rates", says Voya Global.
