Fed dot plot shows 9 of 18 officials expect at least one hike this year

Six of those nine officials penciled in multiple rate increases, signaling a more hawkish policy split, Nick Timiraos said.

Summary

The Federal Reserve’s latest dot plot indicates a divided policy outlook, with nine of 18 officials expecting at least one interest-rate increase this year. Within that group, six projected multiple hikes, according to Nick Timiraos. The distribution points to a relatively hawkish tilt in the committee’s rate projections, even though half of officials did not signal any increase in the period referenced.

Terms & Concepts
  • dot plot: Federal Reserve chart of rate projections
  • hawkish: Favoring tighter monetary policy
  • rate increases: Central bank moves to raise borrowing costs