Marc Chandler Statement Quotations

Today's comments are back on messages, noting as several European officials have said in recent days, that the G7 statement was aimed at Asia, not Europe. This has helped push the euro to new five-week lows against the yen.

We should be looking at a Fed statement that increases the view of a March rate hike, and our view is that fed funds will be 5 percent by mid-year.

The Federal Reserve purposely seeks not to surprise the market. And it delivered no surprise today, keeping rates steady. The statement following the meeting confirmed what the market has suspected, namely that demand is moderating bringing it closer to the economy's growth potential.