FX.co ★ Markets halt rally ahead of June Fed meeting

Market sentiment could change depending on the Fed's final decision at its June monetary policy meeting. This decision, however, could be affected by upcoming economic data from the US.

Ahead lies key manufacturing indicators from both the US and Europe, followed by reports on China's export volume, import volume, and trade balance. Equally important will be the meetings of other central banks, where key parameters of monetary policy will remain unchanged.

Markets will likely establish equilibrium, as investors expect a 0.25% increase in the Fed's interest rates. However, the recently-released strong US labor market data for May changed the sentiment, pushing market players to opt for a pause. Now, only 19.6% expect a 0.25% increase in rates.

Resolving the debt problem, as well as very positive employment data, allow investors to believe that the US will no longer face recession. As such, the Fed may opt not to raise rates, primarily because they do not want to shake the markets and stimulate another sell-off in the government bond market, given the government's high need for new loans at relatively low interest rates.

Most likely, until June 14, consolidation in broad ranges will be observed in the forex market. Similar expectations can be set for stock and commodity markets.

Forecasts for today:

EUR/USD

The pair trades above 1.0685. A neutral or weakly positive market sentiment will push the quote between 1.0685 and 1.0825. However, a decline below 1.0685 mark could lead to a `further fall to 1.0540.

XAU/USD

Gold trades within the range of 1933.75-1983.75. A pause in the fed's rate hike cycle will push the quote towards 1983.75.