Bitcoin price is above $67,000, with some altcoins continuing to diverge positively. Macro-economic developments may not affect the markets as much as before, but potential surprises from the Fed this year could be troubling for investors. Therefore, upcoming announcements from the Fed side still hold potential risk.
Fed Statements on March 7
As this article is being prepared, Fed member Bowman made some important remarks. Following the poor January data, the significance of the new inflation data to be announced next week has increased. Moreover, the employment and wage increase data (for February) to be announced tomorrow are also of critical importance. Bowman said today;
“January inflation data suggest that progress in reducing inflation could be slower in the future. Recent employment data show that the tight labor market continues. Considering the frequency of data revisions, we will maintain our cautious approach when evaluating any policy stance changes. I expect the decline in inflation to continue, but I see a set of upward inflation risks in my outlook. The current policy stance appears to be restrictive and appropriately calibrated to reduce inflation. If the data show that progress on inflation has halted or reversed, I will be willing to raise the policy interest rate. If the incoming data show that inflation is moving sustainably towards the 2% target, gradually lowering the policy interest rate will eventually be appropriate. I don’t think we are at that point yet.”
Bowman’s statements mean that if we see surprisingly poor data, the possibility of an interest rate cut could decrease further. Therefore, the data to be announced tomorrow and next week are of key importance.
