The FOMC rate decision has been announced, and the Federal Reserve has decided to keep interest rates unchanged.
In a press statement, the Federal Reserve stated that inflation risks have eased in recent months.
However, recent releases of the PCE Index inflation data have shown that, while inflation remains within expectations, the current rate of 3% is still significantly higher than the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target, which it has been aiming to achieve throughout the year.
Given the current economic data releases, there are still reasons to believe that another rate hike could occur in the future. Personal income has also come in lower than expected on a month-over-month basis. The combination of persistently elevated inflation, which continues to reduce purchasing power, and income growth that is not keeping pace is putting additional financial pressure on many consumers.
PCE Index
The annual PCE inflation rate in the US cooled to 3% in October 2023, a low level not seen since March 2021, from 3.4% in the previous three months, matching forecasts. Compared to the previous month, the personal consumption expenditure was flat, the weakest reading since July 2022, after a 0.4% rise in both September and August, and compared to forecasts of 0.1%. Meanwhile, annual core PCE inflation which excludes food and energy, slowed to 3.5% from 3.7%, a fresh low since mid-2021. The monthly rate eased to 0.2% from 0.3%. PCE inflation is the Fed’s preferred inflation metric, and October figures showed inflationary pressures continue to moderate.
FOMC Rate Decision
Inflation risks have eased in recent weeks, but the US central bank remains committed to restoring inflation to its 2% target, Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh said at the ECB’s Sintra Forum. Warsh stressed that delivering price stability remains the Fed’s primary objective, while underscoring policymakers’ independence in setting monetary policy and rejecting any suggestion that political pressure would influence their decisions.
Personal Income
US personal income increased by 0.7% month-over-month in May 2026, surpassing market expectations of a 0.4% rise and accelerating from a flat reading in April. It marked the strongest monthly gain since July 2025, driven largely by a surge in farm proprietors’ income, which rose by $59.6 billion following payments under the American Relief Act of 2025.
Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index
- 15-Year FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.08%, bringing the current rate to 6.60%.
- 30-Year FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.08%, bringing the current rate to 7.24%.
MND Rate Index
- 30-Year FHA rates saw a decrease of -0.08%, with the current rate at 6.90%.
- 30-Year VA rates saw a decrease of -0.08%, with the current rate at 6.91%.
Jobless Claims
Initial Claims were reported to be 194,000 compared to the expected claims of 199,000. The previous landed at 200,000.
What’s Ahead
The upcoming week is expected to be relatively light in terms of economic data releases, with Non-Farm Payrolls and the Unemployment Rate being the most significant reports to watch.
