Chicago Fed President Goolsbee on Interest Rate Policy
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy CME?
Source: CNBC
- Inflation Target Warning: Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee emphasized that while inflation has decreased from its highs, the current core inflation rate of 3% remains above the Fed's 2% target, indicating that rate cuts should not be rushed until there is clear evidence of sustained inflation decline.
- Market Expectation Analysis: Markets anticipate that the Federal Reserve will remain on hold regarding interest rate decisions until at least June, with futures traders assigning a 50% chance of a cut in June and a 71% probability for July, reflecting significant market focus on future policy directions.
- Housing Inflation Concerns: Goolsbee specifically highlighted that stubborn housing inflation is not driven by tariffs, stressing the need for the Fed to remain vigilant against underlying pressures in the service sector and other areas not directly affected by tariffs.
- Labor Market Observations: Fed Governor Christopher Waller noted at the same conference that the labor market may be stronger than previously thought, which could lessen the need for further rate cuts, indicating that the Fed must proceed cautiously in its policy adjustments.
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Analyst Views on CME
Wall Street analysts forecast CME stock price to fall
10 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
4 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 319.500
Low
209.00
Averages
285.90
High
320.00
Current: 319.500
Low
209.00
Averages
285.90
High
320.00
About CME
CME Group Inc. provides a derivatives marketplace. The Company enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and over the counter (OTC) markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data. It exchanges offer a range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange (FX), energy, agricultural products and metals. It offers futures and options on futures trading through the CME Globex platform, fixed income trading via BrokerTec and FX trading on the EBS platform. In addition, it operates central counterparty clearing provider, CME Clearing. Its products provide a means for hedging, speculation and asset allocation related to the risks associated with, among other things, interest rate sensitive instruments, and changes in the prices of agricultural, energy and metal commodities. It provides clearing and settlement services for a range of exchange-traded futures and options on futures contracts and OTC derivatives.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Rate Policy Discussion: The Federal Reserve will discuss interest rates during a two-day meeting ending on March 18; despite President Trump's ongoing pressure for rate cuts, the market currently anticipates less than a 5% chance of a cut, potentially leaving the stock market in a holding pattern until clearer economic data emerges.
- Historical Return Analysis: Since 1990, the Fed has cut rates 58 times, with the S&P 500 achieving a median return of 10% in the following year; notably, excluding cuts during recessions, the return rises to 11%, indicating the potential positive impact of rate cuts on the stock market.
- Inflation and Rate Relationship: While rate cuts could stimulate economic growth and job markets, the current CPI inflation rate stands at 2.4% and the PCE price index at 2.9%, both exceeding the Fed's 2% target, which diminishes the likelihood of a March rate cut.
- Market Expectations and Economic Growth: The market's expectations regarding rate cuts create uncertainty in stock performance; although lower rates typically reduce borrowing costs and boost consumer spending, inflationary pressures necessitate close monitoring of economic data to assess future rate directions.
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- Rate Cut Pressure: President Trump continues to pressure the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, asserting that the U.S. should have the lowest rates globally, despite current inflation rates (CPI at 2.4%, PCE at 2.9%) exceeding the Fed's 2% target, resulting in a less than 5% chance of a rate cut.
- Historical Returns: Since 1990, the S&P 500 has averaged an 11% return in the year following rate cuts during non-recession periods, compared to a 10% return during recessions, indicating that rate cuts could stimulate economic growth and enhance stock market performance.
- Market Reaction: The S&P 500 has traded sideways this year due to investor concerns over elevated valuations and Trump's trade policies, with expectations of a rate cut leading to a potential holding pattern in the market until clearer economic data emerges.
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- Significant Stock Decline: Both Flutter and DraftKings have seen their stock prices drop by approximately 50% this year, reflecting the market's serious perception of the threat posed by prediction markets, despite differing views among company executives on how to address it.
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