Archives of “Committees” tag

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Powell set to speak to Congress

  
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Powell will deliver part 1 of Humphrey Hawkins in the Senate

Powell will deliver part 1 of Humphrey Hawkins in the Senate
The Fed tends to be a punching bag when the economy is in bad shape or when they try something new. If I were a politician, I would certainly be trying to score points on a central bank buying junk bonds and calling a program delivering loans up to $300m as ‘Main Street’ lending.
But I don’t think the market cares. Powell has all the canned answers ready, saying that inflation is low and that the aim is to lower employment.
The criticism of the Fed chair last week was that he was too downcast. Perhaps he will try to correct that but I don’t think it’s warranted. The most-important thing for the market is that he reiterates that the FOMC will “act forcefully, proactively and aggressively.” I don’t see that changing.
One area that is a bit of a minefield is unwinding all the March programs. For instance, the stated goal of the corporate bond buying program is to restore market functioning and it’s set to expire in September. They’ve already achieved the goal — spreads are narrow. Will he start to move the goalposts?
The headlines will be out at the top of the hour and the Q&A will start 20-30 mins later.

Federal Reserve to buy Treasuries and MBS ‘at least at the current pace’

  
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Highlights of the June 10, 2020 FOMC interest rate decision

  • Will increase holdings of bonds ‘over the coming months’ at least at the current pace to smooth markets
  • Buying will continue across curve
  • Dots pin rates at zero through 2022 but two dots show lift-off in 2022
  • Rates unchanged, as expected
  • Repeats pledge to use full range of tools to support US economy
  • Repeats that health crisis will weigh heavily on activity and poses considerable risks to the outlook over medium-term
  • Financial conditions have improved, in part reflecting policy measures to support the economy and the flow of credit to U.S. households and businesses.
  • Prior statement
  • Powell will hold a press conference at the bottom of the hour
The Fed has tapered to $4B/day from a high of $300B/day and there was some expectations they would continue to taper but they are going to keep QE here, which is around $80B per month.
I don’t see anything negative for the market here. The dots are zeroed out and the Fed is going to keep the printer running.

FOMC-day is usually a good one for risk assets

  
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The FOMC day effect on the stock maret

The Fed put is real.
US equity futures have turned slight higher now and that aligns them with a dovish trade that’s clear in the dollar, rates and gold.
Historically, that’s a good bet.
Study after study shows that Fed day is one of the best ones for stock markets of the year. Back in 2016, Bespoke Investment Group tallied that since 1995 the average return of the S&P 500 on FOMC day is +0.34% compared to +0.03% on the average day otherwise.
The FOMC day effect on the stock maret
Longer-term studies show the same effect (and here).
Could today be the day that Powell takes away the punchbowl? It’s certainly possible but all these studies show that the jitters are always high and the reality is generally positive.

Full statement from the FOMC April 2020 decision

  
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FOMC statement from April 2020

Below is the full statement from the April 2020 FOMC rate decision

The Federal Reserve is committed to using its full range of tools to support the U.S. economy in this challenging time, thereby promoting its maximum employment and price stability goals.

The coronavirus outbreak is causing tremendous human and economic hardship across the United States and around the world. The virus and the measures taken to protect public health are inducing sharp declines in economic activity and a surge in job losses. Weaker demand and significantly lower oil prices are holding down consumer price inflation. The disruptions to economic activity here and abroad have significantly affected financial conditions and have impaired the flow of credit to U.S. households and businesses.

The ongoing public health crisis will weigh heavily on economic activity, employment, and inflation in the near term, and poses considerable risks to the economic outlook over the medium term. In light of these developments, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent. The Committee expects to maintain this target range until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals.

The Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook, including information related to public health, as well as global developments and muted inflation pressures, and will use its tools and act as appropriate to support the economy. In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the stance of monetary policy, the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its maximum employment objective and its symmetric 2 percent inflation objective. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments.

To support the flow of credit to households and businesses, the Federal Reserve will continue to purchase Treasury securities and agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities in the amounts needed to support smooth market functioning, thereby fostering effective transmission of monetary policy to broader financial conditions. In addition, the Open Market Desk will continue to offer large-scale overnight and term repurchase agreement operations. The Committee will closely monitor market conditions and is prepared to adjust its plans as appropriate.

Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Michelle W. Bowman; Lael Brainard; Richard H. Clarida; Patrick Harker; Robert S. Kaplan; Neel Kashkari; Loretta J. Mester; and Randal K. Quarles.

Morgan Stanley expects FOMC to cut 75bps(50 on March 18, 25 in April)

  
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Morgan Stanley has slashed their US 2020 GDP growth forecast to 1.5%

  • from 1.8% previously

Projections for the Fed:

  • 50 bps rate cut in March
  • 25bps in April

MS add that if recession:

  • Fed to cut to zero
  • & restart QE
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PS. I am seeing (again) the ‘central bank rate cut is ineffective therefore they won’t and we need fiscal stimulus instead’ comments.
This is, unfortunately, a very common mistake that is made.
I posted this ahead of the RBA meeting last week (before the RBA cut its cash rate) , just change around the names:
  • Some folks will argue rate cuts will be ineffective against the virus, which is the wrong argument, of course rate cuts won’t cure a virus! Sheesh. The central bank move, if it comes,  will be predicated on taking action to avert too much economic harm. Some folks will argue that a rate cut will be ineffective for this, that government stimulus (fiscal) would be better, and they have a fair point … but you have to remember a rate cut is the tool available to the central bank, they can’t provide fiscal stimulus. “The RBA should stand firm and force the government to act” is another argument. Unfortunately this is no time for dick swinging contests (its a male-dominated sphere) and the RBA will not play this game.

FOMC minutes: Current policy stance to ‘remain appropriate for a time’

  
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Highlights of the Jan 28-29, 2020  FOMC meeting minutes:

  • Conditions expected in Q2 for T-bill tapering
  • Saw risks to economic activity as ‘somewhat more favorable’ than at previous meeting
  • Expected economic growth to continue at a ‘moderate pace’
  • Cited easing of trade tensions, receding risks from Brexit and stabilizing global growth as reducing downside risks
  • Generally expected trade uncertainty to remain somewhat elevated
  • Agreed threat from virus ‘warranted close watching’
  • Once reserves reach ample levels, regular open market operations will be required over time to accommodate trend growth in Fed’s liabilities and maintain ample reserves
There has been little market reaction to the headlines.
We have heard all these messages before from Powell and other Fed members. It’s a rare moment when the message is very much united and consistent. The market continues to doubt there will be a long period of watching with a 78% chance of a cut priced in at the July meeting.

Federal Reserve FOMC January meeting minutes this week – preview

  
Analysis, Economy
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The minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting will be published on Wednesday 19 February 2020  at 1900GMT

A couple of snippets on what to expect and look out for, via Scotia.
  • Watch for frequency of citation references to how the committee views downside risks to the outlook
  • Recent references to downside risks have fanned market pricing for easing
  •  (chart 2). During the press conference on January 29th, Powell guided that there had been a Further clues regarding expectations for the mid-year announcement of the strategic review are possible
  • watch for further discussion of the merits of average inflation targeting around a 2% goal
  • balance sheet policy guidance … we might develop a further understanding of the range of FOMC opinions
  • coronavirus and its potential impact. Watch for any further discussion and the range of views on the implications for world and domestic growth and inflation. 
The minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting will be published on Wednesday 19 February 2020  at 1900GMT

FOMC statement for January 2020

  
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The full FOMC statement for January 2020

Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in December indicates that the labor market remains strong and that economic activity has been rising at a moderate rate. Job gains have been solid, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Although household spending has been rising at a moderate pace, business fixed investment and exports remain weak. On a 12‑month basis, overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy are running below 2 percent. Market-based measures of inflation compensation remain low; survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed.

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 1‑1/2 to 1-3/4 percent. The Committee judges that the current stance of monetary policy is appropriate to support sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation returning to the Committee’s symmetric 2 percent objective. The Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook, including global developments and muted inflation pressures, as it assesses the appropriate path of the target range for the federal funds rate.

In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its maximum employment objective and its symmetric 2 percent inflation objective. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments.

Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Michelle W. Bowman; Lael Brainard; Richard H. Clarida; Patrick Harker; Robert S. Kaplan; Neel Kashkari; Loretta J. Mester; and Randal K. Quarles.

Implementation Note issued January 29, 2020

Pres. Trump: Fed should get smart and lower the rate to make US rates competitive

  
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The FOMC decision is set for tomorrow at 2 PM ET

As the FOMC today meeting gets underway today, with the decision due at 2 PM ET/1900 GMT tomorrow, Pres. Trump is adding his two cents into the discussion.

He says:
  • The Fed should get smart and lower the rate to make our interest competitive with other countries
  • If Fed lowers interest rates, we would then focus on paying off and refinancing the US debt
Of course the Fed only controls the shorter-term interest rates. Longer term interest rates have the shorter-term interest rates as a function, but it is not the end all be all for the shape of the yield curve. In fact, rates could increase further out the curve and increase treasury borrowing obligations.

The full FOMC statement for December 2019

  
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The FOMC Statement for December 2019

Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in October indicates that the labor market remains strong and that economic activity has been rising at a moderate rate. Job gains have been solid, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Although household spending has been rising at a strong pace, business fixed investment and exports remain weak. On a 12‑month basis, overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy are running below 2 percent. Market-based measures of inflation compensation remain low; survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed.

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 1‑1/2 to 1-3/4 percent. The Committee judges that the current stance of monetary policy is appropriate to support sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the Committee’s symmetric 2 percent objective. The Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook, including global developments and muted inflation pressures, as it assesses the appropriate path of the target range for the federal funds rate.

In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its maximum employment objective and its symmetric 2 percent inflation objective. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments.

Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Michelle W. Bowman; Lael Brainard; James Bullard; Richard H. Clarida; Charles L. Evans; Esther L. George; Randal K. Quarles; and Eric S. Rosengren.

Implementation Note issued December 11, 2019

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