Updated Fed economic projections to take center stage next week
Central bank seen as more cautious in committing to rate cuts next year
Sticky inflation, healthy labor market among policymakers39; considerations

WASHINGTON, Dec 13 Reuters Investors view it as a near given that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point at its Dec. 1718 meeting, with more attention focused on policymakers39; new economic projections released alongside the decision.

Those projections will include an updated look at how much further Fed officials think they will reduce rates in 2025 and perhaps into 2026, an exercise that will have to account for data in the meantime showing stickierthanexpected inflation, a healthy labor market, a U.S. election result that could shift the global trade and immigration landscape, and ongoing geopolitical risks.

With so much to assess, a multitude of new risks, and a lot of uncertainty, many analysts expect the collective messaging from the central bank39;s policy statement on Wednesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell39;s postmeeting press conference and the updated projections to be somewhat hawkish with the Fed perhaps closer to a ratecut stopping point, or at least very reluctant to commit to many more reductions in borrowing costs, than it was just a few months ago.

Here are some of the data points Fed policymakers will consider

INFLATION39;S STUBBORN DANCE

There hasn39;t been much headline improvement in…