Jerome Powell

The FOMC's decision to "hold rates steady while signaling only two cuts this year was a subtle but powerful shift," said James Pruskowski, CIO at 16Rock Asset Management.

The panel is not expected to change rates, but the dot plot will be watched to see if the Fed's prior projection of two rate cuts this year holds.

The Federal Open Market Committee will meet on June 17-18. While no rate cuts are expected at this point, things can change quickly. Lauren Saidel-Baker, economist at ITR Economics, provides her take on the meeting the new Summary of Economic Projections and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference.

"The threat of having both inflation and unemployment rising simultaneously continues to create a big headache for the Fed's interest policy," said Wells Fargo Investment Institute global fixed income strategist Luis Alvarado.

The specter and economic implications of tariffs coupled with still above-target inflation and a healthy labor market will sideline policymakers at this week's meeting, analysts said, but not everyone agrees when the next rate cut will be.

With no policy changes expected, analysts are eagerly awaiting the new Summary of Economic Projections for clues about future monetary policy.

The Federal Open Market Committee cut the fed funds target again in December but signaled fewer cuts in 2025. There was some dissent. The markets are watching to see if the Federal Reserve pauses its easing cycle in January. Brian Rehling, head of global fixed-income strategy at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, recaps and parses the previous day's FOMC meeting and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference.

A week ahead of inauguration day, Scott Colbert, executive vice president, director of fixed income and chief economist at Commerce Trust, takes a look at how the Federal Reserve and the economy will fare in President-elect Donald Trump's second run in the White House.

Technicals could "break down" if there is a potential decline in risk assets or rising unemployment, particularly in white-collar jobs, said Jeff Timlin, a managing partner at Sage Advisory.

For municipals, Wednesday "marks a crucial step forward, perfectly aligned with the current risk landscape," said James Pruskowski, chief investment officer for 16Rock Asset Management.