After Jerome Powell’s admission to the Senate Banking Commission that the pace of future rate hikes could pick up if the data indicates such an approach is necessary. In addition, Powell went on to state that the ultimate level of interest rates is likely to be higher than previously anticipated, sending the dollar and US bond yields higher.
On the second day of his testimony, Powell attempted to backtrack slightly on what he said the day before, clarifying that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is still yet to decide whether there will be a step up in the magnitude of the interest rate hike in March (from 25 basis points to 50).
Crucial Data Ahead
Something I will be keeping a close eye on in the days to come will be the US CPI print next Tuesday and the average hourly earnings for February which is due to be released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, alongside the NFP number, on Friday. Data in the lead up to both prints suggest no obvious signs of accelerating disinflation or a drastic drop in employment.