๐Ÿ”ฅ A critical week for the Fed and the markets!

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ The Fed faces a tough test this week after inflation stayed above target, with bets increasing sharply on a rate hike.

๐Ÿ“Š Markets are currently pricing in around an 87% probability of a 25-basis-point rate hike, moving the rate from 3.50%โ€“3.75% to 3.75%โ€“4.00%.

๐Ÿ“… Decision date: Wednesday, September 16
๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ 9:00 PM Saudi time
๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Press conference: 9:30 PM

โš ๏ธ Why is the decision risky?
In August, US inflation came in at 3.4% year-on-year, while core inflation rose 0.3% month-on-month versus expectations of 0.2%, increasing fears of continued price pressures.

๐ŸŽฏ The strongest outlook right now:
๐Ÿ”บ A 25-basis-point rate hike
๐Ÿ”บ A chance of further tightening later if inflation remains high
๐Ÿ”บ Markets will closely watch the Fedโ€™s statement and its forward-looking outlook more than the rate decision alone.

๐Ÿฅ‡ And what about gold?
Rate hikes and hawkish statements = often negative pressure on gold ๐Ÿ“‰
But hinting that the hike may be limited, or that inflation is heading down = could give gold a strong boost ๐Ÿ“ˆ

๐Ÿ”ฅ Most importantly: the market may move violently at the moment of the decision, then reverse direction with the press conferenceโ€ฆ so itโ€™s not enough to just track the rate decision.

๐Ÿ“Œ This week could be one of the strongest trading weeks for gold and the dollar.