The arguments against a 50 bps cut
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THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST A 50 BPS CUT
While traders are increasing bets that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by 50 basis points at the conclusion of its two-day meeting on Wednesday, analysts at Standard Chartered sees arguments against it.
Steve Englander, Head, Global G10 FX Research and North America Macro Strategy at Standard Chartered’s NY Branch and John Davies, U.S. rates strategist, cite the following as “bad reasons” for launching a larger cut.
DISAPPOINTING ASSET MARKETS. “It is unlikely that asset markets are so fragile that a message of 'not quite yet' on a 50 bps cut would lead to extended disappointment.”
THE ECONOMY IS SO FRAGILE THAT A SMALLER CUT WILL TRIGGER A DOWNWARD ECONOMIC SPIRAL. “We very much doubt that any economic model has the kind of economic cliff edge property that this concern implies.”
INFLATION IS CLEARLY HEADING TO THE FED’S 2% ANNUAL TARGET. “We object to ‘clearly’, we would agree on ‘most likely’, but this is a forecast and not reflected in the data currently… The last mile of getting to target will likely depend on how low inflation is in Q1-2025.”
THE INFLATION DEVIATION FROM TARGET IS ALL BASE EFFECTS. “Normally we dismiss base effects as being largely irrelevant because they reflect what happened a year ago rather than now. The problem is that the Q1 increase in prices happened two years in a row… The downward inflation path from current levels will likely be established only when Q1 m/m inflation remains contained.”
WITHOUT SHARP CUTS THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WILL RISE SHARPLY. “There is limited evidence of large-scale firings. Activity is sluggish but not at recession levels. If the UR does rise sharply from here, say to 4.5%, by the November or December FOMC meetings, there may be a plausible case for a 50bps cut.”
BEING WRONG IN CUTTING BY 25 BPS IS WORSE THAN BEING WRONG IN CUTTING BY 50 BPS. “The 25 bps cut can be accompanied by a clear message that the FOMC will be on the lookout for conditions that justify a 50 bps cut.”
"Starting the cutting cycle with 50 bps will probably add to market pricing that is already aggressive on the easing side. There will be more subsequent confusion and market disruption if the unemployment rate remains in the low 4s and core PCE is flat."
HIGH REAL INTEREST RATES REQUIRE AN IMMEDIATE MOVE LOWER. This is measured "with extremely low accuracy in real time…. Whether real rates are at neutral or 50bps above may matter over a 5-10 year period, but such deviations are unlikely to matter q/q and have a very small impact even on y/y GDP.”
The risks of making a larger cut also include that the Fed's forecasts for inflation and unemployment may be wrong, in which case "the Fed will find itself in a 1970s position of stop-and-go policymaking."
A 50 basis points reduction before November's Presidential election could also be construed as political, the analysts note.
(Karen Brettell)
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FOR MONDAY'S OTHER LIVE MARKETS POSTS:
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EMPIRE STRIKES BACK: NY MANUFACTURING SPRINGS TO LIFE - CLICK HERE
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FROM NOW UNTIL YEAR-END: WHAT COULD GO WELL - CLICK HERE
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE FED EASING STARTS? - CLICK HERE
TEPID START FOR STOXX AS MINERS WEIGH - CLICK HERE
WEAK START FOR EUROPE AHEAD OF PACKED WEEK - CLICK HERE
HANGING ON THE FED - CLICK HERE
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