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FOMC still expects to cut once this year: FOMC Post-Meeting Comment March 2026
As widely expected, the FOMC remained on hold at the March 17-18 meeting. Governor Miran dissented again, because he wanted a ¼ percentage point cut. The FOMC statement saw only minor changes. The most important one was the addition of “The implications of the developments in the Middle East for the U.S. economy are uncertain.” Given the high level of uncertainty, Powell downplayed the importance of the new Summary of Economic Projections. However, the new forecasts did give us some insight into the Committee’s thinking. During the press conference, Powell also made some comments about his own future. The new ... (full story)
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From pepperstone.com | Mar 18, 2026
As expected, and bang in line with market pricing, the FOMC maintained the target range for the fed funds rate between 3.50% - 3.75% at the conclusion of the March meeting, extending a ‘pause’ in the easing cycle which began in January, amid an increasingly uncertain economic outlook in light of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the subsequent sharp ...
Alan Blinder, Former Federal Reserve vice chairman, joins 'Closing Bell Overtime' to talk what is ahead for the FOMC after Wednesday's decision to leave rates unchanged.
At its meeting ending on 18 March 2026, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to maintain Bank Rate at 3.75%. Conflict in the Middle East has caused a significant increase in global energy and other commodity prices, which will affect households’ fuel and utility prices and have indirect effects via businesses’ costs. Prior to this, there had been continued disinflation in domestic prices and wages. CPI inflation will be higher in the near term as a result of the new shock to the economy. Monetary policy cannot influence global energy prices but aims to ensure that the economic adjustment to them occurs in a way that achieves the 2% target sustainably. The MPC is alert to the increased risk of domestic inflationary pressures through second-round effects in wage and price-setting, the risk of which will be greater the longer higher energy prices persist. The MPC is also assessing the implications for inflation of the weakening in economic activity that is likely to result from higher energy costs. *BANK OF ENGLAND HOLDS KEY INTEREST RATE AT 3.75% IN 9-0 VOTE *BOE SAYS ALL MEMBERS 'STAND READY TO ACT' TO CONTAIN INFLATION *BOE SEES INFLATION AT OVER 3% IN FEBRUARY, NEAR 3.5% IN MARCH 
Bank of England votes unanimously to keep rates on hold as Iran war clouds outlook The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has voted “unanimously” keep its benchmark interest rate on hold at 3.75% on Thursday. Before the war in Iran erupted in late February, the BOE had been expected to cut its key interest rate, known as ‘Bank Rate,’ at its March meeting, but the conflict has sent global energy prices soaring, clouding the outlook for inflation and growth. “Conflict in the Middle East has caused a significant increase in global energy and other commodity prices, which will affect households’ fuel and utility prices and have indirect effects via businesses’ costs,” the BOE said in a statement.
Bank of England votes unanimously to keep rates on hold as Iran war clouds outlook The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has voted “unanimously” keep its benchmark interest rate on hold at 3.75% on Thursday. Before the war in Iran erupted in late February, the BOE had been expected to cut its key interest rate, known as ‘Bank Rate,’ at its March meeting, but the conflict has sent global energy prices soaring, clouding the outlook for inflation and growth. “Conflict in the Middle East has caused a significant increase in global energy and other commodity prices, which will affect households’ fuel and utility prices and have indirect effects via businesses’ costs,” the BOE said in a statement.
