Interest Rates – Expectations for the Fed’s Policy Rate Path Nomura still expects 25 bp rate cuts in July and December 2024, as well as four additional 25 bp rate cuts in 2025. Image: Nomura
Interest Rates – U.S. Federal Funds Rate Expectations BofA expects a 3.5-3.75% terminal rate in this cutting cycle, up 50bp from their previous forecast. This suggests a need to tighten monetary policy to control inflation and maintain economic balance. Image: BofA Global Research
Money Market Fund Assets vs. Fed Funds Target Rate Money market funds often experience outflows 12 months after the initial rate cut. This occurs as investors reallocate their investments and adjust their risk exposure in response to fluctuations in interest rates and market conditions. Image: BofA Global Fund Manager Survey
Interest Rates – Fed Funds Rate Goldman Sachs now expects the Fed to implement three rate cuts in 2024, down from its earlier projection of four rate cuts, in response to elevated inflation data and evolving economic conditions. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
S&P 500 with Start of Rate Cut Cycles and U.S. Recessions Historically, the S&P 500 has tended to post positive returns in the 12 months following the Fed’s first rate cut, unless the U.S. economy enters recession. Image: Deutsche Bank
Consecutive Trading Days of Inverted 10Y-2Y U.S. Treasury Yield Curve The anticipation of Fed easing is being driven by the aging of yield curve inversion. Market participants are expecting the Fed to cut rates in order to stimulate economic growth and prevent a potential recession. Image: Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Median Relative Return vs. S&P 500 During 12 Months Following Start of Fed Cutting Cycle During periods when the Fed cuts interest rates, the healthcare and staples sectors have shown relatively stronger performance compared to the broader market. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Median Policy Rate Projections in the Fed’s Summary of Economic Projections The anticipation of rate cuts in 2024 and beyond is generally viewed as bullish for equity markets, as it signals a potential easing of monetary policy that can support economic growth and stock prices. Image: BofA Global Research
Cyclical Sectors’ Relative Performance vs. Defensive Sectors Around the First Fed Cut After the first Fed interest rate cut, defensive stocks have historically shown stronger performance relative to cyclical stocks. Image: BofA US Equity & Quant Strategy
U.S. Core CPI Minus Unemployement Rate % vs. Fed Funds Rate The Fed rarely cuts rates when core CPI exceeds the unemployment rate, reflecting the central bank’s concern about potential inflationary pressures in the economy and its emphasis on price stability. Image: BofA Global Investment Strategy
Effective Fed Funds Rate and S&P 500 Index Return vs. 10-Year U.S. Treasury Bond Return Is 2024 poised to be the year for bonds, given that the median relative performance spread between stocks and bonds in previous Fed cutting cycles has been 25%? Image: Morgan Stanley Wealth Management