Federal Reserve released the minutes of its December meeting which revealed that they would follow a wait-and-watch approach towards their interest rate hike plans. The US central bank suggested in December moderate rate hikes (up to 2.8 percent) but preferred to implement them only if warranted. FOMC confirmed that their rates were close to the range of its longer-run neutral interest rate – implying a slowdown in their hikes shortly. At the same time, the Fed highlighted that market tightening and global economic slowdown have made it difficult to assert future policymaking. The pause of rate tightening cycle sent ... (full story)