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Markets Raise Odds of December Fed Rate Hike After Strong U.S. Jobs Report

Investors now view a firmer labor market as increasing the chance of tighter policy later this year.

Overview

  • After May payrolls that showed a 172,000 gain, interest-rate futures on June 5 pushed the market-implied chance of a December Fed rate increase to roughly 63–68 percent.
  • Futures continue to price the Federal Reserve holding rates at the June meeting with the policy range expected to stay near 3.50%–3.75%.
  • Traders moved expectations because the bigger-than-forecast jobs print and upward revisions suggest the labor market could sustain inflationary pressure and prompt extra Fed action.
  • New Fed chair Kevin Warsh will lead the June meeting and faces pressure from persistent inflation drivers such as global oil prices that higher rates cannot directly solve.
  • Markets will watch upcoming inflation and employment releases and Fed officials' comments for signs that the pause this month could flip into additional tightening later in the year, a change that could raise borrowing costs for households and businesses.