6 quick points toward the FOMC Meeting Minutes

The Fed releases minutes from the January 2015 meeting. This provides more insight about the deliberations within the most important central bank, in a decision that was not accompanied by a press conference nor by  economic forecasts.

The US dollar was generally stronger across the board towards the publication, with the exception of the pound.

Update:  FOMC Meeting Minutes reiterates patience – USD initially down

In the statement released on January 28th, these were 6  highlights:

1. Patience on rate hikes – no change in stance and it means no hike at least until April. This was widely expected, maintaining the dovish approach.
2. Strong  job growth: This is a bullish upgrade of the labor market, which was later confirmed by the strong Non-Farm Payrolls.
3. Solid economy: Another bullish upgrade for the economy, and this comes despite some underwhelming figures such as slow Q4 growth.
4. Nothing new on  inflation: The Fed continues to see through the fall in oil prices. This maintains the bullish stance.
5. “International developments“: This is a dovish introduction to the statement and certainly requires clarification in the minutes.
6. No dissenters: After having 3 dissenters in December, there was a unanimous agreement on the  statement. However, this is due to the fact that the dissenters  do not have a vote in 2015. We will see the differences in the statement.

More:  A strong dollar is unlikely to delay the Fed – SEB