Volatility views: Banking stress raises potential for volatile Fed decision

Snapshot: Recent market turmoil has options traders anticipating significant swings around the March 22 FOMC statement.

That’s setting up one of the most hotly-anticipated FOMC decisions in recent memory on March 22. The Fed must weigh whether to continue the battle against inflation or pause in light of the turmoil inflicted on the banking sector by rising rates.

While the start of the month saw many economists surveyed by Bloomberg predicting a 50 basis point hike this week, a majority now expect the Fed to raise rates by a quarter point. Some analysts expect policymakers to stand put or even cut rates. Last week’s European Central Bank meeting muddied the outlook further. Investors anticipated a shift only for policymakers to stick to their original plan of a 50 basis point hike.

Here’s what’s currently implied from options prices in terms of excess event-related volatility for the March 22 policy statement, according to Optiver analysis. In other words, here’s how much the event is expected to impact the following indexes and EUR/USD over and above normal volatility, 30 minutes after release of the statement.

For context, here’s how much markets realized in the one hour following the release of the last FOMC policy decision on Feb. 1 (which includes the start of the press conference), when policymakers raised rates by 25 basis points.

Market reaction could be significant should the Fed make a surprise move in either direction. Should the FOMC keep interest rates unchanged, S&P 500 Index futures imply a positive reaction in the range of +1.5% to +2.5% for the trading day. Conversely, if the Fed hikes rates by 50 basis points, the S&P 500 Index could drop -2% to -3%, according to options prices.

Investors will also be keeping a close eye on the press conference following the decision. While Fed funds futures have been pricing a terminal rate of 5.25%-5.5%, guidance could reveal a rate closer to 5% given recent developments.

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