Schroders Global Investments stated that it is unlikely that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in June 2024 as previously expected, and it is also difficult to determine if there will be any rate cuts within the year. The futures market had predicted in January that there could be as many as six or seven rate cuts in 2024, but the current forecast indicates less than two rate cuts within the year. Federal Reserve Chairman Powell has not made any opposing comments regarding the financial market's expectations for the number of rate cuts. After the release of inflation data in March, he acknowledged that "it may take longer than expected" for the Fed to confidently implement a looser monetary policy. It is still uncertain whether any loosening measures will be implemented in 2024. The decision to cut rates or not will depend on evidence of inflation returning to target levels, which not only requires a sustained slowdown in inflation, but also depends on whether the labor market can stabilize. Another factor that could delay rate cuts is a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Schroders Global Investments' latest economic forecast includes how a heated situation in the Middle East could affect the risk scenarios of Western countries. Schroders Global Investments predicts that the Federal Reserve will cut rates twice at the interest rate meetings in December 2024 and March 2025. This three-rate cut cycle will amount to a cumulative 75 basis points, the same level of easing seen in 2019.