The Wall Street Journal with their FOMC previews in the 5 things to watch format
(Any boldings are mine for emphasis)
- Any move or definite signal on interest rates is extremely unlikely
- All the action will come in Wednesday's policy statement, due out at 2 p.m. EST
(ps. thats 1900GMT)
- Yellen isn't scheduled to hold a press conference
- Officials won't release updated economic projections
Oh, yeah, the 5 things ...
1. Don't count on strong signals either way about a rate increase at the March 15-16 meeting - Officials will likely want to keep their options open, await fresh data, watch to see if financial markets calm down
2. In December the Fed dropped language that had appeared in the September and October statements about "global economic and financial developments" ... Watch to see if its restored
3. The biggest changes to the policy statement will likely come in the first paragraph, which describes current economic conditions ... will growth be downgraded form it 'moderate' description December?
4. Watch the first and second paragraphs of the statement to see if the Fed flags any fresh concern on the inflation front
5. new voters on the FOMC ... One potential dissenter is Kansas City Fed President Esther George, a frequent dissenter during her last stint as a voter in 2013 ... she recently told the Kansas City Star that the Fed's December rate increase was "late."
