The Fed hikes rates and suggests a pause, but is still fighting the last war

WELREX® Director John Longo shares his view on the latest meeting of the Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates 25 basis points last week, bringing the Fed Funds rate to 5.25%, a generational high. Equity markets rallied modestly on the news after parsing the Fed’s published statement. For the first time in several months, the Fed dropped from its statement the phrase that “the Committee anticipates that some additional policy firming may be appropriate.” If it looks like a pause…

The Fed’s behavioural error

The Fed has acknowledged what is obvious to most consumers.  That is, it was late in addressing the inflation problem. In an effort to put the inflation genie back in the bottle, the Fed embarked on its most aggressive rate hike campaign since the 1980s. When most people make a mistake, they try not to make the same mistake twice.  Hence the Fed sharply increased short-term interest rates to try to stomp out inflation. But most critical analyses of the data show that inflation is coming down and there is nothing magical about the Fed’s 2% inflation target. In fact, inflation has averaged more than 3.5% in the U.S. since the early 1900s and the economy has functioned well, by and large. In short, the Fed is fighting the last war, increasing the odds of recession and acting as a catalyst for the regional banking crisis.

CPI and PPI both falling

Both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) are noticeably falling, as shown in the graphs below. On a month-to-month basis the numbers may be quite volatile, but as we have discussed in our prior writings, the numbers are very likely to continue their downward trajectories due to the base effect. As we approach the summer, the high CPI and PPI numbers will roll off, making it a virtual mathematical certainty that inflation will continue to fall.  Simply because a “double dip” inflation scenario occurred in the past, it does not mean that is has to occur again. Demographic changes and the increased use of technology in our lives are generally viewed as secular deflationary trends.

Consumer Price Index: April 2022- March 2023

Source: TradingEconomics.com

Producer Price Index: April 2022- March 2023

Source: TradingEconomics.com

Buffett’s comments and a wealth of other slowing economic indicators

Berkshire Hathaway’s legendary shareholder meeting was held last weekend in Omaha, Nebraska. As usual, Warren Buffett and his business partner, Charlie Munger, opined on a variety of topics. Berkshire is probably the world’s most famous conglomerate and hence has a decent view of the U.S. economy. Buffett cited expected earnings declines in 2023 across a range of Berkshire subsidiaries. He also felt deposits in the banking system were safe, but expected issues in the banking system to continue. Importantly, he didn’t say he was buying any banking stocks and simply talked about his existing large position in Bank of America. As a consequence of the regional banking crisis, it is common sense that banks will be lending less, slowing down inflation and the economy.

The inverted yield curve and sluggish Institute for Supply Chain Management (ISM) Manufacturing and Services purchasing manager indicators increase the odds of a recession despite last week’s strong unemployment report ahead of the summer holiday season. Leisure and hospitality jobs accounted for a sizeable portion of the job gains, and these professions generally pay less than those jobs that were lost in the Tech and Financial sectors. The (almost) annual U.S. Debt Ceiling standoff will very likely get resolved, but it may create further market jitters. The Fed continues its quantitative tightening program, which is the equivalent of several rate hikes, over time. In sum, we expect a sluggish U.S. economy with the odds tilted towards a recession due to Fed policy errors. Investment portfolios should be structured accordingly.

John M. Longo, Ph.D., CFA

Director

WELREX®

Related

WELREX reflections on Cap Gemini’s World Wealth Report 2024 

Cap Gemini recently published an important and comprehensive “state of the industry” report – World Wealth Report 2024. Read the WELREX team’s perspective on the most important conclusions

“Rapid ascent for WELREX – thoughts on business models, Consumer Duty, and more”

Updated WELREX profile published by WealthBriefing following WELREX® Founder and CEO Yevgeni Agerd and Chief Marketing Officer Joe Clift interview with Tom Burroughes, Group Editor.

WELREX joins global elite with double win at WealthBriefing European Awards 2024

At the WealthBriefing European Awards on March 21st, leading wealth management industry participant, WELREX, was selected as a winner in the ‘Innovative Use of Artificial Intelligence’ and ‘Most Promising New Entrant’ categories. 

Data, dashboards, and digital wealth

WELREX founder and CEO Yevgeni Agerd speaks to PWM’s editor-in-chief Yuri Bender about the increasing appetite of private investors in developing countries for a hybrid digital and human advice model

2024 Investment Outlook – Rocky road ahead may be paved by the Fed’s interest rate cuts

The WELREX investment team takes a view on what’s to come in 2024

Evolving the WELREX investment process – and a practical application in China 

WELREX CIO Chris Brils shares an update on our investment process and how we recently applied it successfully in China

Why is the Stock Market ignoring the Fed?

WELREX® Director shares his view on the latest meeting of the Federal Reserve

WELREX included in 2024 WealthTech100 listing

Sixth annual WealthTech100 list names WELREX in their list of companies transforming the world of wealth and asset management.

Customer Experience: the next differentiator in Wealth Management

WELREX Founder & CEO Yevgeni Agerd reflects on last month’s Finovate Europe 2024 event in London, at which he and Chief Digital Officer Lorenzo Caffarri demonstrated the WELREX platform. Additionally, Yevgeni articulates the next challenge that Wealth Management faces.

Get started

Get in touch if you would like to understand more about how WELREX® can help you meet your goals.

Schedule a call

Choose a time to connect with our team.

Schedule a call

Get in touch

We'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Contact us