What are the Fed’s possible considerations on rate cuts?

What are the Fed’s possible considerations on rate cuts?

Equities 5 minutes to read
Peter Garnry

Chief Investment Strategist

Summary:  The FOMC language yesterday pushing back at the market’s pricing on a rate cut coming in March was a bit of surprise to the market. We go through the various arguments for why the Fed is hesitating on cutting the policy rate and also the key reasons why the Fed should cut the policy rate and continue over the next 12-18 months.


Why is the Fed hesitating on rate cuts?

Did the Fed provide a hawkish or dovish message yesterday in its FOMC statement and subsequent press conference? Some are arguing that it could be both depending on how you look at the message. Judging purely from the reaction in equities the interpretation was hawkish and the market is interpreting Powell’s words that a rate cut is most likely not coming in March. In other words, if the market is right the cutting cycle starts in May. Some are surprised about this development, but there are plenty of indicators suggesting that the Fed should remain cautious and not do a victory lap too early (see below). When we mean cautious, it is not about starting the cutting cycle but at what pace the Fed will go with. Some suggests 250 bps of cuts in the 12 months post the first rate cut in May, but that may be too aggressive if the economy is humming along.

  • The US consumer is doing okay under the current interest rate regime with the Redbook Sales Index hovering around 5% implying real growth in consumption.

  • The weekly indicators on the US economy suggest that the economy is operating close to trend growth.

  • The Atlanta Fed wage growth tracker (median) has steadied now around 5.2% for several months implying an expanding real wage growth which is likely to be a positive forward looking indicator on consumption.

  • Companies have generally in the Q4 earnings season been painting a positive outlook in terms of demand.

  • Core services inflation (60% of inflation basket) is stilling too high and has increased from 4.5% annualised in August 2023 to 5.2% in December. The slightest comeback to goods inflation could push overall inflation higher again.

  • The cooling of the inflation rate is a natural wave effect stemming from more orderly supply chains and base effects making the comparable easier. This means that the next year will begin to finally paint the true denoised picture of underlying inflation.

  • The Fed’s own financial conditions index adjusted to the strength of the economy is at levels seen in the years before the pandemic. In other words, credit markets are yet to show stress.

  • The policy tightening has only reduced slack in the labour market measured on the job openings / unemployed ratio (this metric has in fact showed labour market tightness in November and December) and not caused a persistent increase in the unemployment rate.

  • The US nominal GDP growth is still at 5.8%

When you take all the observations above into account, and combine it with Powell’s previous comments when inflation erupted that the Fed’s models were broken on forecasting inflation, then it is reasonable that the Fed is hesitating to cut the policy rate.

It is all about real rates

What are some of the considerations that the Fed should weight in relation to cutting the policy rate?

  • Banks are indicating beginning cracks in the commercial real estate market and easing the policy rate would pre-empt the negative impact. It is important to note that yesterday’s NYCB announcement was related to their rent-regulated multi-family apartments.

  • The inflation rate seems to generally coming down and the forward-looking inflation swaps are pricing 2.1% inflation over the next year. Keep in mind though that these markets are not very good at predicting anything.

  • But taking the above point on inflation at face value the Fed is significantly restrictive in its policy rate indicated by a real rate of over 300 bps which increases the risk of an abrupt recession.

  • With the US government running a 6.5% fiscal deficit over the past year the deficit will for sure come down towards the historical average around 3% causing a negative impulse from government spending over time. Rate cuts will mitigate this negative impulse.

  • Monetary policy and credit conditions come with a lag and already now we observe the longest lag in monetary policy since the early 1970s due to the excessive fiscal policies. Acknowledging those lags means that the Fed should prepare for downside risks to the economy in the coming quarters.

  • The estimated neutral policy rate according to the Fed is around the 2.5%, so if that estimate is correct the longer the Fed stays above 5% the more pain will follow.

  • The long period with low bond yields means that it takes a quite a bit of time for refinancing of debt to kick in, but the refinancing wave is beginning to meaningfully impact credit for companies.

  • Geopolitical risks are a downside risk to the economy and are on the rise.

What are some the ways to express your views on the Fed?

If you believe the Fed will start the cutting cycle in May and then go aggressively towards the neural rate then technology, car, renewable energy stocks should be the segments within equities with the highest positive response function to lower policy rates because of their high equity valuations (technology and renewable energy) and high capital requirements (car industry). If one wants to express the view that the economy will cool down fast and that the market is wrong on rate cuts (too few rate cuts priced in) then this is done in SOFR futures. One would be long the SOFR Mar-2025 contract if one believes the Fed must be more aggressive on monetary policy than what is priced in.

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...

Disclaimer

The Saxo Group entities each provide execution-only service, and access to analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website is not intended to and does not change or expand on this. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Inspiration Disclaimer and (v) Notices applying to Trade Inspiration, Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular, no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.

Trading in financial instruments carries risk, and may not be suitable for you. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Please read our disclaimers:
Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-sg/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

None of the information contained here constitutes an offer to purchase or sell a financial instrument, or to make any investments. Saxo Markets does not take into account your personal investment objectives or financial situation and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this presentation. Any opinions made are subject to change and may be personal to the author. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of Saxo Markets or its affiliates.

Saxo Markets
88 Market Street
CapitaSpring #31-01
Singapore 048948

Contact Saxo

Select region

Singapore
Singapore

Saxo Capital Markets Pte Ltd ('Saxo Markets') is a company authorised and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) [Co. Reg. No.: 200601141M ] and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S, headquartered in Denmark. Please refer to our General Business Terms & Risk Warning to consider whether acquiring or continuing to hold financial products is suitable for you, prior to opening an account and investing in a financial product.

Trading in financial instruments carries various risks, and is not suitable for all investors. Please seek expert advice, and always ensure that you fully understand these risks before trading. Trading in leveraged products such as Margin FX products may result in your losses exceeding your initial deposits. Saxo Markets does not provide financial advice, any information available on this website is ‘general’ in nature and for informational purposes only. Saxo Markets does not take into account an individual’s needs, objectives or financial situation.

The Saxo trading platform has received numerous awards and recognition. For details of these awards and information on awards visit www.home.saxo/en-sg/about-us/awards.

The information or the products and services referred to on this website may be accessed worldwide, however is only intended for distribution to and use by recipients located in countries where such use does not constitute a violation of applicable legislation or regulations. Products and Services offered on this website are not intended for residents of the United States, Malaysia and Japan. Please click here to view our full disclaimer.

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the US and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.