United Overseas Bank (UOB) analyst Alvin Liew said after July US CPI that market
odds of a September Fed hike have fallen and UOB’s base case is that the Fed
will pause policy through all of 2026. UOB expects two 25bp cuts in 2027, likely
at end-Q2 and end-Q4, gradually lowering the federal funds target to about 3.25%
by end-2027, which it still views as its terminal rate estimate. While June and
July CPI prints have balanced FOMC risks, geopolitical and energy uncertainty
leave a slight upside risk to policy, so UOB remains vigilant to the possibility
of tighter policy.