What happens when the Fed easing starts?
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE FED EASING STARTS?
Whether it's going to be by 50 or 25 basis points, the Federal Reserve is all but certain to cut U.S. interest rate this week, kicking off an easing cycle following 525 basis points of cumulative hikes since March 2022.
So what are the implications of the start of Fed cuts?
J.P. Morgan has found that initial stock market reactions are often muted, but subsequent moves diverge depending on whether there is a recession or a soft landing.
In 8 out of the last 12 easing episodes, rate cuts were followed by a recession, leading to negative S&P 500 returns over the year. Rate cuts outside recessions yielded high teen returns.
This time around, the reaction depends on economic activity and excess liquidity.
"During the Fed tightening over the past two years, bank reserves did not come down, and now that the Fed is embarking upon easing, the liquidity backdrop could, in fact, turn more restrictive. This could have an adverse bearing on risk assets," say JPM strategist Mislav Matejka.
"In terms of economic growth, if the activity dataflow is disappointing over the next months, especially if the labour markets soften, then the Fed could be seen to be behind the curve, and the rate cuts could end up more a confirmation of weakness, rather than the driver of the upside," he adds.
(Danilo Masoni)
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FOR MONDAY'S OTHER LIVE MARKETS POSTS:
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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