Investors responded well to FOMC's announcement overnight where Fed reiterated the pledge to keep rates low for a "considerable time". The S&P 500 rose 15 pts to close at historical high of 1956.98 while the Dow 30 closed higher by 98 pts at 16906.62. Dollar, on the other hand, stayed soft and extended recent consolidations. The Dollar Index spiraled lower and is trading at 80.38 for the moment, comparing to near term resistance of 81.02. In other markets, gold rode on dollar's softness and recovered back to as high as 1279.8, just shy of 1280 level. Crude Oil also recovered and stabilized above 106 level. Treasury yields lost steam with 10 year yield and 30 year yield closing mildly lower.
The FOMC announced to continue tapering by lowering the monthly asset purchases from USD 45b by USD 10b to USD 35b. After the reduction, the monthly purchases consist of USD 20b of treasuries and USD 15b of MBS. Fed noted in the statement that "economic activity will expand at a moderate pace and labour market conditions will continue to improve gradually." Meanwhile, "household spending appears to be rising moderately and business fixed investment resumed its advance." Fed also released updated economic projection. 2014 growth forecast was slashed to 2.1% - 2.3%, substantially down from prior estimate of 2.8% - 3.0%. 2015 and 2016 growth forecast was left unchanged at 3.0% - 3.2% and 2.5% - 3.0% respectively. Unemployment projection was revised lower to 6.0% - 6.1, down from March projection of 6.1% - 6.3%. 2015 and 2016 unemployment forecast was also lowered. Core inflation is projection to be 1.5% - 1.6% in 2014, slightly up from March projection of 1.4% - 1.6%. 2015 and 2016 projections were also revised higher. On average, policy makers are seeing the Benchmark federal funds rate at 1.2% by end of 2015 and 2.5% by end of 2016. That's an upward revision from March projection of 1.125% in 2015 and 2.4% in 2015. The long term average, however, is now forecast to be at 3.75%, down from prior forecast of 4.0%.
Elsewhere, New Zealand GDP rose less than expected by 1.0% qoq in Q1. SNB rate decision is a main focus today and is expected to keep rates unchanged near zero. SNB will also maintain the pledge to defend the EUR/CHF floor at 1.2. UK will release retail sales and US will release jobless claims, leading indicator and Philly Fed survey.