"Markets Brace for Clarity on Rate Cuts as FOMC Minutes Loom"

The Federal Reserve's December meeting minutes are anticipated to provide insights into the potential timing of interest rate cuts as inflation shows signs of decline. While the Fed held rates steady at 5.25% to 5.5% in December, projections indicated a reduction by at least 0.75 percentage points over the year. Investors expect a rate cut as early as March, but Fed Chair Jerome Powell has not confirmed this timeline. Upcoming economic data, including jobs and inflation reports, will be crucial in shaping the Fed's policy decisions, with the next meeting scheduled for January 30-31.