FOMC is widely expected to keep monetary policy unchanged today. Without new economic projections, the focus will be on the policy statement and press conference. In particular, Fed Chari Jerome Powell would likely just reiterate that the Committee is in talks of QE tapering. Yet, it is premature to make any conclusion.
Also, more information about policy changes will be revealed at the Jackson Hole symposium in late August, followed by the September meeting. The formal announcement of tapering could indeed be made in December.
Some suggested readings on Fed:
Germany Gfk consumer sentiment unchanged at -0.3, slowing vaccinations limit improvement
Germany Gfk consumer sentiment for August was unchanged at -0.3. In July, economic expectations dropped from 58.4 to 54.6. Income expectations dropped from 34.1 to 29.0. Propensity to buy rose from 13.4 to 14.8. .
Rolf Bürkl, a GfK consumer expert commented on this observation: “The phase where the decrease of COVID-19 incidence of infection has come to an end and those figures are again on the rise. In addition, the momentum for vaccination has recently slowed down considerably, despite there being sufficient quantities of the vaccine available. This is currently preventing any further significant increase as it pertains to consumer sentiment.”
Full release here.