Main Topic: Federal Reserve officials express concern about inflation and suggest more rate hikes may be necessary.
Key Points:
1. Inflation remains above the Committee's goal, and most participants see significant upside risks to inflation.
2. The recent rate hike brought the federal funds rate to its highest level in over 22 years.
3. There is uncertainty about the future direction of policy, with some members suggesting further rate hikes and others cautious about the impact on the economy.
### Summary
Wharton finance professor Jeremy Siegel believes that increased productivity will prevent a resurgence in inflation in the US.
### Facts
- 💰 Wharton finance professor Jeremy Siegel is not worried about inflation rebounding in the US, despite the signs of a resilient economy.
- 💼 GDP is expected to grow 5.8% over the third quarter, according to an estimate from the Atlanta Fed.
- 💼 Job growth and wage growth remain strong, with the US adding 187,000 payrolls and hourly earnings up 4.4% year over year in July.
- 💼 The recent improvement in statistics is attributed to a turnaround in productivity, which was poor last year.
- 💼 Siegel believes that the bounce-back in productivity will keep inflation in check and justify higher wages.
- 💼 However, other experts, like BlackRock, are more skeptical about the path of inflation.
- 💼 The Fed remains concerned about inflation and is open to more tightening measures.
- 💼 Stocks have slid as investors bet on the Fed hiking rates before the end of the year.
### Summary
Reserve Bank Assistant Governor Karen Silk says the Official Cash Rate is working despite sticky core inflation and record high employment.
### Facts
- 📈 Headline inflation has been falling for the past year, but non-tradable inflation has not declined significantly.
- 📉 Core inflation has been stuck at 5.8% for the past three quarters.
- 🏠 The average mortgage rate is steadily climbing towards 6%.
- 📊 There are signs that the OCR is working to restore balance in the economy, such as falling forward orders for business and decreasing durable spending.
- 💰 Demand for residential mortgages has fallen 32.9% in the six months ended March.
- 📈 The Reserve Bank expects non-tradable inflation to be lower in the coming quarter on an annual basis, but the quarterly rate may still be high.
- ⛽ Higher petrol prices could lead to tradable inflation having its hottest quarter in two decades.
- 🎯 The OCR mostly targets domestic, or non-tradable, inflation.
- 🎯 The Reserve Bank's forecasts have been criticized for missing its inflation forecast, but Silk defends the forecasts, stating that they are as accurate as any other local economic institution.
- 📆 The Reserve Bank has forecasted that headline inflation will be back in the target range one year from now.
- 🤔 There is doubt about whether inflation will drop below 3% in September 2024, as predicted.
- 💲 Another rate hike may be required to achieve the Reserve Bank's inflation target.
- 💱 Some economists believe that the economic downturn could be worse than expected, making a rate hike unlikely in the near future.
The US economy has exceeded the Federal Reserve's estimate of its growth potential in recent years, with growth averaging 3% under President Joe Biden, but concerns about rising public debt and inflation, as well as the Fed's efforts to control them, may lead to slower growth in the future and potentially a recession. However, there are hints of improving productivity that could support continued economic growth.
The U.S. economy and markets seem to be in good shape for now, but there are concerns about the potential for problems in the future due to factors such as rising interest rates, supply and labor shocks, and political uncertainties.
The Federal Reserve must consider the possibility of a reacceleration of the economy, potentially impacting its inflation fight, as retail sales in July were stronger than expected and consumer confidence is rising, according to Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin.
The Federal Reserve faces new questions as the U.S. economy continues to perform well despite high interest rates, prompting economists to believe a "soft landing" is possible, with optimism rising for an acceleration of growth and a more sustainable post-pandemic economy.
The US economy continues to perform well despite the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes, leading to questions about whether rates need to be higher and more prolonged to cool inflation and slow growth.
Despite predictions of a slowdown, the American economy continues to show strong growth, with recent data suggesting annualized growth of nearly 6% in the third quarter; however, concerns about overheating and potential inflation, as well as increasing bond yields, raise doubts about the sustainability of this growth.
The success of the global economy in the coming months rests heavily on the ability of the US Federal Reserve to achieve a "soft landing" in managing growth-inflation dynamics, as many other major economies are facing their own challenges and cannot serve as alternative engines for global growth.
The US economy grew at a slower pace in the second quarter, but still showed more strength than expected, with GDP revised down to 2.1% from an initial 2.4%; however, forecasts indicate a robust reading in the third quarter of 2.5% or higher, despite concerns of a potential recession.
Gross domestic product (GDP) grew at a rate of 2.1% in the second quarter of 2023, driven by consumer spending, while the Federal Reserve is considering raising interest rates again despite a drop in GDP growth; Americans are increasingly turning to credit cards in a high-interest rate environment, leading to rising credit card debt.
The U.S. economy is expected to expand at a 2.2% annual rate in the current quarter, according to a real-time estimate from the New York Federal Reserve, which is lower than the Atlanta Fed's estimate of 5.6% growth; the strength of the economy will impact the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates and inflation.
The resilient growth of the US economy is fueling a rebound in the dollar and causing bearish investors to rethink their positions, although the currency's rally may face challenges from upcoming data and the Federal Reserve's meeting this month.
Stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data, including a rise in producer prices and retail sales, has sparked concerns about sticky inflation and has reinforced the belief that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer.
The end of the Federal Reserve's rate hiking cycle could be positive for U.S. stocks, but with an uncertain economic outlook and stretched valuations, upside may be limited this time around.
The Federal Reserve is expected to hold off on raising interest rates, but consumers are still feeling the impact of previous hikes, with credit card rates topping 20%, mortgage rates above 7%, and auto loan rates exceeding 7%.
The Federal Reserve is expected to signal that another rate hike may be necessary due to strong economic growth and inflation metrics, creating a difference of opinion between the equity and bond markets.
The Federal Reserve is expected to hold its benchmark lending rate steady while waiting for more data on the impact of previous rate hikes on the US economy, but there is still a possibility of another rate increase in the future.
The upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve meeting is generating less attention than usual, indicating that the Fed's job of pursuing maximum employment and price stability is seen as successful, with labor market data and inflation trends supporting this view.
The US Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady at 5.25% to 5.50%, projects higher rates for next year, and expects stronger economic growth, causing a slight drop in Bitcoin's price.
The U.S. Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady but left room for potential rate hikes, as they see progress in fighting inflation and aim to bring it down to the target level of 2 percent; however, officials projected a higher growth rate of 2.1 percent for this year and suggested that core inflation will hit 3.7 percent this year before falling in 2024 and reaching the target range by 2026.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged while revising its forecasts for economic growth, unemployment, and inflation, indicating a "higher for longer" stance on interest rates and potentially only one more rate hike this year. The Fed aims to achieve a soft landing for the economy and believes it can withstand higher rates, but external complications such as rising oil prices and an auto strike could influence future decisions.
Investors are focusing on the release of economic reports on GDP and inflation as they evaluate the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates and its efforts to cool down inflation. Metal prices have slipped due to concerns over global demand and the economy, and the risk of a government shutdown is also adding to the bearish sentiment. Earnings reports from various companies and core PCE inflation data are expected in the week ahead.
Despite predictions of higher unemployment and dire consequences, the Federal Reserve's rate hikes have succeeded in substantially slowing inflation without causing significant harm to the job market and economy.
Corporate America is not deterred by the potential for another interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve, as evidenced by companies making large acquisitions and pursuing deals, indicating confidence in the economy's resilience and the possibility of a soft landing.
The U.S. economy grew at a solid pace of 2.1% in the second quarter, but consumer spending was weaker than previously reported, although recent evidence suggests a rebound in consumer spending and GDP is expected to rise in the third quarter.
The Federal Reserve is in a better position to deliver a soft landing for the U.S. economy due to facing different problems compared to the 2007-2008 financial crisis, according to F/m Investments CIO and President Alex Morris.
The Federal Reserve's shift towards higher interest rates is causing significant turmoil in financial markets, with major averages falling and Treasury yields reaching their highest levels in 16 years, resulting in increased costs of capital for companies and potential challenges for banks and consumers.
