Fed Hikes Rate the Fourth Time in 2018, by 25 Basis Points
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve hiked policy interest rate for the fourth time this year. The target fed funds rate – the interest rate at which banks can lend each other overnight – now stands at 2.25-2.5%, after the latest quarter-point increase.
The highly anticipated Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meet also brought to fore potential challenges and pressures facing the central bank. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell indicated "cross-currents emerging" which led most officials to temper their economic growth forecast for 2019. There would possibility be two rate hikes next year, which is fewer than previously expected – as hinted by Powell. As of the latest meeting, only six FOMC participants expect there could be as many as three.
Nevertheless, the Fed is still keen on letting fresh data guide their rate hike decisions going forward as well. The Fed does have a delicate task on hand : tightening credit to prevent overheating, but without stoking recessionary pressures.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted, requesting the Fed to be wary of further rate hikes so as to not make markets any more “illiquid”.
SPY in upward trend: price may ascend as a result of having broken its lower Bollinger Band on January 20, 2026
SPY may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options. In of 34 cases where SPY's price broke its lower Bollinger Band, its price rose further in the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
SPY moved above its 50-day moving average on January 21, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where SPY advanced for three days, in of 366 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In of 451 cases where SPY Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are .
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In of 72 cases where SPY's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on January 20, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on SPY as a result. In of 72 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for SPY turned negative on January 16, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 53 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In of the 53 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at .
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where SPY declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
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