What next after the first Fed cut?
Corrects para 1 to first Fed cut in over four years, from two years
STOXX 600 down 0.4%
Novo slips on Ozempic price cut concerns
Fed squarely in focus
Wall St futures steady
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WHAT NEXT AFTER THE FIRST FED CUT?
The long-awaited day has arrived as the U.S. Federal Reserve is set to deliver its first rate cut in more than four years, with market pricing pointing to a close call between 25 and 50 basis points.
In recent months, expectations of larger and quicker cuts have built among traders, with equities at highs and bond yields at lows.
"If the Fed 'only' does 25bp, and/or its communication is perceived as hawkish, markets may be disappointed and reverse some of their recent gains", said Barclays' strategist Emmanuel Cau in a note on Wednesday.
On the other hand, 50bp cuts have typically occurred close to recessions and were followed by more downside for equities as they may be interpreted as a sign of deeper than expected economic weakness.
Beyond short-term volatility following today's decision, it can take two to three quarters for economic growth to rebound after the first cut, the strategists pointed out. Therefore, upcoming data is what really matters.
"While history suggests no rush to re-risk, we believe that absent further data weakening, the bulk of the rally in defensives may be over, while the yield curve could bear-steepen and help cyclicals to find a floor", said Cau.
With the rate cycle turning, more sectors have been outperforming the European benchmark in the quarter such as real estate .SX86P and utilities .SX6P, particularly sensitive to the central banks' monetary policy changes.
"Further de-concentration of equity market returns, in a soft-landing scenario, should benefit the small-cap universe", said Cau, adding that in Europe the last two major ECB easing cycles saw small caps strongly outperform the large caps.
(Matteo Allievi)
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EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS
ALL GOOD FOR EURO AREA LIQUIDITY… FOR NOW CLICK HERE
NOVO WEIGHS, AWAITING THE FED CLICK HERE
EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: THE FED, MIDDLE EAST AND UK CPI CLICK HERE
TRADERS STILL GUESSING IN FINAL FED COUNTDOWN CLICK HERE
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