Will Be 'Extremely Difficult' For The FOMC To Not Raise Rates Says Richards

• The $5,000 check proposal is dismissed as a 'bizarre Trump Hail Mary' for election purposes, with fiscal consolidation (repealing the Republican budget bill) suggested as a more effective measure.
• The Fed is expected to raise rates by a quarter-point, with bond rates at their highest since 2007. Not raising rates could harm the Fed's credibility and paradoxically drive up longer-term interest rates like mortgages.
• The Fed's primary concern should be the impact of geopolitical events (e.g., 'war in Iran' affecting the Strait of Hormuz) on energy prices, which are largely beyond the Fed's control and require administrative action.

The discussion centers on the Federal Reserve's impending interest rate decision, with traders anticipating a quarter-point hike. The analyst expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of proposed government interventions like $5,000 checks and diesel export bans in addressing inflation, particularly supply-side issues stemming from geopolitical tensions and past fiscal policies. She highlights the negative impact of rising interest rates on consumers.