A robust updating policy is implemented by the Fed
The Federal Reserve published yesterday a significant strategy change, the new strategy allows inflation to run hotter than usual in order to strengthen the labor market and the general economy.
Chairman Jerome Powell described this strategy shift as a “robust updating” of Fed policy. The central bank accepted the policy of “average inflation targeting.” Now, what this means, is that the new policy shift will provide inflation to run “moderately” over the Fed’s 2% target “for some time” after periods when inflation operated below that target.
The new moves were arranged in a policy outline described as the “Statement on Longer-Run Goals and Monetary Policy Strategy,” initially approved in 2012, which set the Fed’s strategy towards interest rates and general economic development. This move suggests that the Fed will probably be not willing to increase interest rates when the unemployment rate drops. Central bank executives traditionally have concluded that low unemployment influences growth and it probably will lead to damaging levels of inflation.
U.S. stock futures positive with Dow gaining 200 points
Futures attached to important U.S. equity benchmarks advanced in late trading yesterday while Wall Street tried to extend its record-breaking momentum. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures increased 211 points. The S&P 500 futures and the Nasdaq 100 futures likewise exchanged in the positive area. The S&P 500 touched a new all-time top for the fifth day in a row yesterday and quickly touched 3,500 levels for the first.
Oil prices dropped early today
Oil prices slipped early today while a huge hurricane ran past the center of the U.S. oil manufacturers in Louisiana and Texas. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped 16 cents, to $42.85 a barrel continuing its overnight declines.
U.S. producers closed down 1.56 million barrels per day of crude production, approximately 83% of the Gulf of Mexico’s production, while nine refineries had closed approximately 2.9 million bpd of volume, about 15% of U.S. processing capacity, before the storm.
Gold looks steady for now
Gold looked steady today while concerns about an economic slowdown prompted by the Covid-19 outbreak balanced the pressure from a bounce in U.S. Treasury yields following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s proposal for more inflation permission.
Spot gold moved up 0.1% at $1,929.94 per ounce following a drop of more than 1.2% yesterday. Gold lost more than 0.5% so far this week. U.S. gold futures increased 0.2% to $1,936.30.
The above content is considered to be market commentary information and shall not be perceived as independent investment research or investment advice.
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