At the US Fed's June FOMC meeting, the federal funds rate was held unchanged at the 3.50%–3.75% range, with a unanimous 12–0 vote. The biggest revision in the meeting statement was the complete removal of forward guidance and wording with a dovish tilt, such as "additional adjustments," while the statement was also significantly shortened—marking a shift to a fully data-dependent policy framework.
On the economic projections front, the 2026 GDP growth forecast was lowered to 2.2%, while the core PCE inflation forecast was raised to about 3.3%. The dot plot showed a notable hawkish shift, with the median rate for the end of 2026 rising to 3.8%; 9 officials projected rate hikes, while only 1 projected a cut. Notably, the Fed's new Chair, Warsh, did not submit a dot plot.
The market read this as signaling that the easing cycle has come to an end and that rate hike risks have risen markedly.
