The US central bank will announce its policy decision on Wednesday, following the conclusion of its two-day meeting. Financial markets are betting heavily that Fed policymakers will raise the benchmark rate by a quarter of a percentage point to a 3.75%-4.00% range and signal further tightening ahead.
The shift in market expectations has been striking. Barely two weeks ago, the CME FedWatch tool showed a 60% chance of a rate hike. Traders are now pricing in a 94.5% chance of a Fed rate hike. If delivered, this will be the first rate hike in over three years.