Market is poised with confusion about FOMC meeting tonight and possible outcomes. It is largely expected more than 90%, that US Fed are to leave current Interest Rates at current 1.00% without any changes which should send a short-term negative reaction, awaiting FOMC statement.
Now we have established the fact the US Central Banks will not touch the rates tonight, the statement and the following press conference will take center stage and as policymakers seem to shirt the path of monetary and fiscal from rates to the balance sheet. Yellen and Co. will cautiously choose their words with efforts to withhold US dollar from further declines.
Last March during FOMC meeting, Yellen mentioned that changes on the balance sheet will depend on economic conditions, and latest data including weak GDP last week and poor macroeconomic readings have lead markets to doubt that the central bank will raise rates two more times this year, with three "live" meetings ahead that could offer such outcome: June, September and December.
If the FOMC meeting hinted that market should not expect a hike during June, markets will assume that chances for additional rate increase this year will be left at one taking into consideration that the U.S Fed will unlikely to raise rates on two consecutive sessions. This would result in a negative impact for U.S Dollar. But in case June is left on the rate menu with high odds, a chances for two hikes including this June and end of Year 2017, this should handle boosting the US dollar for the short-run.
A hawkish scenario is unlikely, and unless the Fed clearly indicates that two rate hikes are still on the table, dollar gains are likely to be short-term and limited, not enough to revert the sour tone that surrounds current pale US dollar. Last US Fed hike that resulted in 0.25%, it was seen that US dollar dipping instead of surging. This was justified that March hike was largely expected and market traded on " Buy the rumor, sell the fact".