Stock futures inched higher on Wednesday morning as investors braced for the Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes, which are expected to offer more clarity on the central bank’s hiking path. The Fed has raised interest rates three times in 2018 and is widely expected to hike again in December.
The minutes from its October meeting should provide insight into how policymakers view current economic conditions and whether they plan to continue raising rates at a gradual pace or take a pause due to recent market volatility. Investors have been closely monitoring any signs that indicate if the Fed will slow down its rate hikes amid concerns over slowing global growth and trade tensions with China.
Analysts anticipate that this week’s release of minutes could give clues about what lies ahead for monetary policy decisions going forward, including when it comes time for another rate increase later this year or early next year. In addition, analysts expect further details on how much longer the Fed intends to keep reducing its balance sheet before pausing asset purchases altogether.
Overall, investors remain cautiously optimistic as they wait for further information from the Federal Reserve regarding future rate hikes and other monetary policies moving forward.
Read more at CNBC
