Analysts split on Fed path after June hold, with December hike odds near 50%

Warsh leaves markets guessing as Fed framework overhaul raises more questions than answers

UBS On-Air: Paul Donovan Daily Audio 'The Fed will cut, stay unchanged, or raise rates'

Per the full note [source], the Fed minutes revealed a surprisingly broad range of views, including explicit mention of rate hikes, which markets had not priced. The desk highlights that this hawkish tilt reduces the probability of near-term cuts, but the overarching caveat—dependent on inflation persistence—preserves optionality. With two-year yields edging higher and the labour market deemed stable by most members, the near-term path is data-dependent rather than directionally clear.

Why we don’t think the Fed will hike rates

The desk believes the Federal Reserve is unlikely to hike rates based on the diverging perspectives within the FOMC and a favorable inflation outlook over the next year. Per the full note by James Knightley, the Fed's dual mandate of maximizing employment and maintaining price stability requires a cautious approach, especially given the current softness in job creation and the housing market. Despite a hawkish tone from half of the FOMC members, the remaining members' skepticism coupled with improving inflation metrics supports our stance for a lengthy pause in rate hikes. The consensus within the market is significantly swayed by these internal dynamics as investors currently anticipate a 25 basis point hike by October 2026 but our position emerges firmly on the side of inaction.

Kevin Warsh navigates a hawkish Fed shift

The desk posits that the changing tone from the Federal Reserve, now led by Kevin Warsh, signals a potential shift toward future rate hikes amidst growing economic momentum and inflationary pressures. As outlined in the source commentary, the Fed Chair seems disinclined to provide explicit forward guidance, which creates uncertainty in market pricing for rate adjustments. The consensus for rate hikes has intensified, with a 25bp increase already priced in for this year, as inflation rates are reported at a three-year high of 4.2%. Per the full note [source], this evolving landscape offers a complex, albeit hawkish, backdrop for major currency pairs like EUR/USD and USD/JPY going into the latter half of the year.