The Fed announced its decision to keep interest rates unchanged.

Fed Maintains Interest Rates Between 3.50% - 3.75%

The Federal Reserve (Fed) kept its policy interest rate stable at 3.50% - 3.75%, in line with market expectations. This decision is not considered a surprise among investors. The dot plot published in the Fed's last meeting indicated that there could be at least one interest rate cut within the year, leading to keen market attention on this situation.

Cautious Approach to Economic Outlook

Changes in the Fed's statement reveal that despite positive growth in the U.S. economy, there is a loss of momentum. The emphasis on 'moderate' in the statement suggests a cautious stance in the economic landscape. Moreover, the decline in the pace of new job creation in the labor market and the stable unemployment rate draw attention; this situation indicates that the Fed is beginning to accept a cooling labor market.

Recent Developments Regarding Inflation

The Fed states that inflation increased at the beginning of this year but is now described as 'somewhat high.' This strengthens the perception that price pressures are under control and signals a soft landing scenario for investors. The statement reflects a change in the Fed’s risk perception, suggesting that it now views economic slowdown not as a risk of crisis but as a manageable normalization process.

Political Pressures and the Future of the Fed

Concerns over the Fed's independence have attracted more attention in recent weeks. Former President Trump’s calls for lower interest rates have heightened the perception that the Fed's decision-making processes may be influenced by political pressures. The fact that Fed Chairman Jerome Powell will leave his position in May adds a new source of uncertainty in the markets.

Risk Management and Market Climate

Changes observed in the statements concerning interest rate decisions not only prolong uncertainty but also highlight the importance of risk management perspectives. For stocks, this carries the potential to create a more stable yet volatile market environment.

As a result, the Fed’s decision to hold rates and ongoing political pressures remain key factors for investors to closely monitor.