Loretta Helger

📢 The March 2026 Fed Meeting begins today (March 17) with the policy decision due tomorrow, March 18. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at the current 3.50%–3.75% range, despite political pressure from President Trump to cut rates immediately. Markets are pricing in a 99% probability of no change this week. --- 📊 Latest Data – March Fed Meeting - Fed Funds Target Range: 3.50% – 3.75% - 90‑Day AMERIBOR Rate: 3.67% (flat, near 52‑week low) - Mortgage Rates (March 17, 2026): - 30‑year fixed: 6.31% - 15‑year fixed: 5.51% - FHA 30‑year: 5.68% - Jumbo 30‑year: 6.75% - Market Expectation: CME FedWatch shows ~99% probability of no change this week - Economists’ Outlook: Two rate cuts expected later in 2026, likely starting in June --- ⚖️ Implications - For Markets: - Oil price volatility from the US‑Iran war complicates inflation outlook. - Equities and crypto remain sensitive to Fed signals; BTC and ETH rallied on expectations of eventual cuts. - For Borrowers: - Mortgage rates dipped slightly this week, reflecting hopes of future easing. - For Policy: - Trump’s demand for a “special meeting” to cut rates adds political pressure, but Fed remains data‑driven. --- 🔑 (#MarchFedMeeting) 📊 March Fed Meeting Update - Fed begins 2‑day meeting today, decision due tomorrow 🕒 - Current rate: 3.50%–3.75% - AMERIBOR: 3.67% - Mortgage rates: 30‑yr fixed 6.31% - Market odds: 99% chance of no change - Economists: Expect two cuts later in 2026 (likely June) #MarchFedMeeting