empty
21.05.2025 12:41 AM
The Fed Maintains a Wait-and-See Approach

This image is no longer relevant

The market expects active measures from the U.S. central bank, while Donald Trump keeps demanding that Jerome Powell cut interest rates. It's worth noting that Powell cannot make such decisions unilaterally. The FOMC consists of 18 members, and a majority must vote in favor of a rate cut to implement it. Therefore, asking Powell directly for policy easing is futile.

Nevertheless, Trump remains steadfast, and so does the market. Interestingly, for the past year and a half, Federal Reserve officials have consistently signaled that they do not intend to meet market expectations. Their stance has always been cautious and less dovish than the market's. However, the market refuses to change its outlook and continues to price in these expectations, creating unnecessary challenges for the U.S. dollar — ones it arguably doesn't deserve.

On Tuesday, Fed Governor Philip Jefferson stated that the central bank must ensure low inflation in the U.S., which is difficult to achieve under Trump's economic agenda. Jefferson hinted at a potential rise in prices, making it inappropriate for the Fed to ease monetary policy at this time. The FOMC's main objective right now is not just lowering inflation, but preventing any price increases from becoming entrenched. It appears the Fed sees inflation acceleration as a near certainty.

This image is no longer relevant

Trump's stance here is even more curious. He likely understands inflation will rise, but as long as it hasn't yet, he can keep demanding rate cuts and blaming Powell (and Biden) for the economy's troubles. Once inflation picks up, Trump can easily claim it's because Powell and Biden didn't listen to him, or deny that inflation is rising. We've heard such baseless statements from Trump many times.

Either way, Powell will be the scapegoat, but Trump has no control over him or any FOMC member. Therefore, any rate cuts will likely be limited to 1–2 moves in the second half of the year, a scenario already priced into the markets.

Wave Outlook for EUR/USD:

Based on the analysis, EUR/USD continues to build a bullish wave segment. In the near term, the wave structure will entirely depend on the trajectory of the trade war. This must be kept in mind. Wave 3 of the bullish phase is now underway, with potential targets reaching the 1.25 area. Achieving these levels will depend solely on Trump's trade policies and the U.S. position in global commerce. I favor buying opportunities above 1.1572, corresponding to the 423.6% Fibonacci level. De-escalation of the trade war could reverse the uptrend, but there are no signs of reversal for now.

This image is no longer relevant

Wave Outlook for GBP/USD:

The GBP/USD structure has shifted and now represents a bullish impulsive wave. Unfortunately, under Trump, the market may face many shocks and reversals that defy technical or wave-based logic. The third wave of the bullish segment continues to form, with immediate targets at 1.3541 and 1.3714. Therefore, I favor buying, as the market shows no inclination to reverse the trend.

Key Principles of My Analysis:

  1. Wave structures should be simple and clear. Complex formations are hard to trade and often unpredictable.
  2. If you're unsure about market conditions, it's better to stay out.
  3. There's no such thing as 100% certainty in market direction — always use stop-loss protection.
  4. Wave analysis can and should be combined with other methods and trading strategies.
Chin Zhao,
Analytical expert of InstaTrade
© 2007-2025

Recommended Stories

The Pound Ignores Weak Data and Persistently Tries to Continue Rising

The macroeconomic data from the UK published last week looks frankly weak—everything is in the red zone, meaning worse than expected. Nevertheless, the pound continues to climb upward regardless

Kuvat Raharjo 19:36 2025-06-16 UTC+2

CFTC Report: The Dollar Is Being Sold Off Again. Awaiting New Revelations from Trump

Five weeks ago, the total short position on the U.S. dollar against major currencies stopped increasing, which gave reason to believe the dollar might begin an offensive in the currency

Kuvat Raharjo 12:14 2025-06-16 UTC+2

GBP/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Today, the GBP/USD pair is attempting to regain positive momentum while remaining on the defensive. Traders prefer to wait for the release of key data before opening directional positions

Irina Yanina 12:10 2025-06-16 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Today, the EUR/USD pair is attempting to regain positive momentum, approaching the psychological level of 1.600 and price levels last seen in 2021. Traders are eagerly awaiting the important political

Irina Yanina 12:08 2025-06-16 UTC+2

The Israel-Iran Confrontation. Fed Meeting. What's Next? (I expect further decline in USD/CAD and a local pullback in gold before a new wave of growth)

Israel and Iran are exchanging missile strikes, but it seems markets are trying to play their own game, assuming that this conflict will not cross the nuclear threshold

Pati Gani 10:51 2025-06-16 UTC+2

EUR/USD: War Is No Ally to the Greenback

At the start of the new trading week, the EUR/USD pair stayed within the 1.15 range and is even trying to approach the resistance level of 1.1600 despite the ongoing

Irina Manzenko 10:32 2025-06-16 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on June 16? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

No macroeconomic reports are scheduled for Monday, but the market does not lack news. This week, Donald Trump announced his intention to raise all import tariffs, as none

Paolo Greco 06:46 2025-06-16 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – June 16: How Trump Is Undermining the Dollar

The GBP/USD currency pair will remain under the influence of geopolitics and politics in the new week. Essentially, we've been saying the same thing every day for the past four

Paolo Greco 04:54 2025-06-16 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – June 16: The Israel-Iran Conflict Changes Nothing

The EUR/USD currency pair moved sharply back and forth throughout Friday. The pair traded with high volatility for two consecutive days, and there is a clear and logical explanation

Paolo Greco 04:54 2025-06-16 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Weekly Preview. Focus on the Middle East and the Federal Reserve

The final trading day of last week ended on an uncertain note. Reacting to Middle East developments, the EUR/USD pair sharply declined on Friday, retreating from the multi-year price high

Irina Manzenko 01:30 2025-06-16 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaTrade anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.