Fed's Walsh Set for First Policy Test as Major Central Banks Deliver Rate Calls

BlockBeats reports that markets on June 13 said attention will shift next week to interest-rate decisions from the Federal Reserve and other major central banks. Since taking the oath as the new Fed Chair, Walsh has kept a low profile, making the press conference after the June decision a key moment for investors to gauge his policy leanings. Traders are also looking for clearer guidance on potential reforms to the Fed's communication framework. Key events to watch next week (all times Beijing): - Monday 15:15: ECB President Christine Lagarde speaks. - Tuesday (time TBA): Bank of Japan rate decision; 14:30: Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida holds a monetary policy press conference. - Tuesday 20:15: U.S. ADP employment change for the week ending May 30. - Thursday 02:00: FOMC rate decision and Summary of Economic Projections; 02:30: Fed Chair Jerome Powell press conference. - Thursday 20:30: U.S. initial jobless claims for the week ending June 13; June Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index. On the policy front, investors are watching for three potentially hawkish developments. First, whether the statement drops language suggesting a "bias toward future rate cuts." Removing that phrase would be read as a clearer end to the prior easing tilt and a shift toward an inflation-fighting framework. Second, the dot plot: March pointed to one cut this year, while the latest projections could imply rates on hold, or even show a majority of officials leaning toward hikes. Third, a change in the balance of risks: a sharper focus on inflation alongside reduced concern about the labor market would keep the door open to future rate increases. Markets also face holiday-related schedule changes. The New York Stock Exchange was closed on Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth. CME Group precious metals, energy, FX, equity index, and U.S. Treasury futures ended early at 01:00 Beijing time on June 20. ICE Brent crude futures ended early at 01:30 Beijing time on June 20.