Fed giữ lãi suất ổn định trong cuộc họp thứ năm liên tiếp, cảnh báo về mục tiêu lạm phát 2%

The Huoxing Finance report states that on July 30, the Federal Reserve maintained the federal funds rate at the 3.50%-3.75% range for the fifth consecutive time. The FOMC approved the decision by a 9:3 vote, with three regional Fed presidents voting in favor of an interest rate hike—the first time since 2016 that three votes consistently supported an increase. Federal Reserve Chair Walsh stated at the press conference that the Fed has no "soft inflation target"; its sole objective has always been a 2% inflation rate, and if inflation remains persistently high, it will act decisively when necessary and appropriate. He emphasized that this decision should not be defined as a "pause," and that the current inaction is merely the beginning, not the end, of the policy process, adding that market pricing is for observation only and will not guide policy formulation. Walsh also noted that U.S. economic activity remains robust, with strong productivity, capital expenditures, and AI investment; the labor market continues to be solid, and significant progress has been made toward full employment. He is currently conducting a rigorous assessment of economic conditions. Regarding the dissenting votes, he said the committee engaged in thorough discussions, but the final decision still received overwhelming support from committee members. In the markets, during the announcement and press conference, spot gold rose over $50 and broke above $4,100, the U.S. dollar index fell below 101, the 2-year U.S. Treasury yield declined by approximately 8 basis points, while the 30-year yield rose by about 10 basis points. The interest rate market lowered its overall pricing for further rate hikes this year but still priced in approximately 15 basis points of expected rate hike in September. Trump subsequently stated that Walsh wants to cut rates, but the Fed has a "political board."