FOMC RESULTS: THE FED IS HIKING AGAIN
The September FOMC is officially in the books, and this was a pretty clear message from the Federal Reserve:
Inflation is still too high, the economy is still holding up, and the Fed is willing to keep rates higher to get inflation under control.
The Fed voted unanimously, 12–0, to raise rates by 25 basis points, bringing the federal funds target range to 3.75%–4.00%. This is the first Fed rate hike since 2023. ([Federal Reserve][1])
WHY DID THE FED RAISE RATES?
Simple: inflation.
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said inflation remains too high and that the summer data hasn't shown enough improvement in the underlying trend. The Fed still wants inflation back near its 2% target. ([Reuters][2])
The Fed's updated projections show:
2026 PCE inflation: 3.7%
2026 Core PCE: 3.4%
Both were revised slightly higher from the June projections. ([Federal Reserve][3])
So despite all the talk about eventually lowering rates, the Fed is currently moving in the opposite direction.
ANOTHER HIKE COULD BE COMING
This is probably the biggest takeaway from today's meeting.
The median Fed projection for the federal funds rate at the end of 2026 jumped from 3.8% in June to 4.1% now. Twelve policymakers projected a year-end midpoint of 4.125%. ([Federal Reserve][3])
In plain English:
The Fed's projections are consistent with another 25-basis-point hike this year.
That's not a guarantee. The Fed will still react to incoming inflation, employment and economic data.
But today's message was definitely not dovish.
THE ECONOMY IS MAKING THE FED'S JOB HARDER
Here's the interesting part.
The Fed isn't raising rates because the economy is falling apart.
It's almost the opposite.
The Fed says economic activity continues to expand at a solid pace, domestic spending remains resilient, productivity growth is strong and capital investment is robust. ([Federal Reserve][1])
The unemployment projection for 2026 was actually lowered from 4.3% to 4.1%. ([Federal Reserve][3])
Warsh also pointed to massive capital spending, including investment from large technology companies and AI/data-center infrastructure, as one factor increasing demand for capital and helping push longer-term borrowing costs higher. ([Reuters][4])
That's important.
Strong economy + sticky inflation = the Fed has room to stay aggressive.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR STOCKS?
Higher rates generally create a tougher environment for equities.
Companies pay more to borrow. Consumers pay more to finance things. Bonds and Treasuries become more competitive with stocks. And higher yields can put pressure on expensive growth companies whose valuations depend heavily on future earnings.
That's why the market cared about more than today's 25-basis-point hike.
The bigger question is:
How long will rates stay this high, and how many more hikes are coming?
Stocks pulled back following the announcement as investors digested the possibility of additional tightening. ([Reuters][5])
That doesn't mean stocks automatically crash because the Fed raised rates.
The other side of this equation is that the economy remains surprisingly strong.
WHAT SHOULD WE WATCH NOW?
Forget trying to predict every word that comes out of the Fed.
Watch the data.
Inflation: If inflation starts falling convincingly, pressure on the Fed eases.
Jobs: A significant deterioration in employment could change the Fed's calculation.
Treasury yields: Rising yields can continue creating pressure on high-multiple growth stocks.
Economic growth: As long as the economy remains resilient, the Fed has more room to fight inflation.
Every CPI, PCE and employment report just became even more important.
BOTTOM LINE
This was a hawkish FOMC.
The Fed raised rates to 3.75%–4.00%, inflation remains well above its 2% goal, and policymakers' median projections moved toward another hike this year. ([Federal Reserve][1])
But don't confuse tighter monetary policy with a collapsing economy.
Right now we're dealing with a strange combination:
**Strong economy.
Sticky inflation.
Higher rates.
More volatility.**
For traders, that means opportunities, but also more reason to respect risk.
For long-term investors, one Fed meeting shouldn't suddenly change the thesis on a quality company.
Don't just trade the headline. Understand why the Fed is doing it.
[1]: https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20260916a.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Federal Reserve Board - Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement"
[2]: https://www.reuters.com/business/warsh-says-fed-focus-stay-inflation-underlying-trends-have-not-meaningfully-2026-09-16/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Warsh says Fed focus to stay on inflation, underlying trends have not meaningfully improved"
[3]: https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomcprojtabl20260916.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Fed - September 16, 2026: FOMC Projections materials, accessible version"
[4]: https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/feds-warsh-lays-out-forces-driving-up-bond-yields-2026-09-16/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Fed's Warsh lays out forces driving up bond yields"
[5]: https://www.reuters.com/business/view-markets-steady-after-fed-raises-rates-points-another-hike-this-year-2026-09-16/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "VIEW Stocks pull back after Fed raises rates, points to another hike this year"













