“Like everyone else, we expect a quarter-point hike in fed funds today to 4.75 percent -- we also expect the statement to be softened.”
Christopher Low
“A quarter-point rate hike would send a message of steady as she goes.”
Larry Wachtel
“A 25 basis point (quarter percentage point) hike next week is factored into the market, what this does is add to the odds that they'll do another 25 in September, November and December,”
Stuart Hoffman
“I think he was signaling to the market that yes, there is another (quarter-point) rate hike coming in March and possibly in May, but that will be data dependent. He essentially confirmed what the market has already been pricing in, in terms of rate hikes.”
“If there are any leanings one way or another, one is towards tightening. Another quarter-point hike can't be ruled out. This represents an opportune time for the Fed to tighten for calendar year 1999,”
Kevin Flanagan
“It takes pressure off the Fed to hike interest rates more dramatically [than a quarter point] in August or put together a more forcefully worded statement next week [at its monetary policy meeting].”
Cary Leahey
“If there are any leanings one way or another, one is towards tightening. Another quarter-point hike can't be ruled out. This represents an opportune time for the Fed to tighten,”
