Knowledge. Shared Blog

July 2019

Fed Turns a Page, Cuts Rates

The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates for the first time in more than a decade. Co-Head of Global Bonds Nick Maroutsos explains why this may be the first of many cuts, and which assets could benefit.

Key Takeaways

  • The Federal Reserve (Fed) cut its benchmark rate, responding to market jitters in the face of trade uncertainties while recognizing that the U.S. economy remains relatively healthy.
  • Although the Fed said additional cuts would be data dependent, we believe the central bank’s hand may be forced given persistently low bond yields, weak inflation and slowing growth in the global economy.
  • In this scenario, risk assets such as U.S. equities could benefit while government bonds in countries where central banks are actively cutting rates could also be well positioned.

As expected, the Federal Reserve (Fed) lowered its benchmark rate today, its first rate cut since the Global Financial Crisis in 2008. Although some market participants were expecting a reduction of 50 basis points (bps), the Fed took a more moderate approach and cut by only 25 bps, leaving the benchmark rate ranging from 2.0% to 2.25%. (One basis point is equal to 0.01%.) The Fed also decided to end – two months earlier than planned – the reduction of its balance sheet, but said today’s rate cut did not mark the beginning of a “long cutting cycle.”

We believe the Fed is trying to thread the needle, balancing market jitters about slowing global growth with robust consumer spending and a strong job market in the U.S. In other words, by cutting just 25 bps, the Fed is trying to bolster market confidence while also keeping some dry powder in reserve in case of an economic shock.

More Cuts Likely to Come

Immediately following the Fed’s announcement, U.S stocks sold off on concerns that further rate cuts may not be in the offing. But make no mistake: We think the trajectory for future Fed moves is down. One reason, in our view, is that the U.S. cannot stay insulated from the global economy’s deceleration forever. Last week, the European Central Bank, noting a worsening outlook for the region’s manufacturing sector, suggested that a potential rate cut and/or additional quantitative easing could come as early as September. Slowing domestic growth has already prompted two quarter-point cuts in Australia this year, and other major central banks, facing tepid rates of growth and inflation, are expected to keep their benchmark rates near record-low levels.

Exhibit 1: FOMC Median Rate Path Projections and Futures Market Expectations:

Although still not near the low levels the futures market expects, Fed officials have lowered their projected interest rate path.

Source: Bloomberg

In turn, global bond yields have retreated, causing demand for the relative attractiveness of 10-year Treasuries to climb and the U.S. dollar to appreciate. If trade uncertainties and persistently weak inflation – to say nothing of demographic headwinds, excess leverage and low productivity – continue to weigh on global growth and, as a result, keep a lid on global rates, the Fed may have no choice but to respond in order to keep the U.S. market competitive.

Exhibit 2: Yields on 10-Year Government Bonds:

Although still not near the low levels the futures market expects, Fed officials have lowered their projected interest rate path.

Source: Bloomberg, as of 7/26/19.

Staying Focused on Duration

We think this backdrop is supportive of stocks, as low rates help fuel risk taking. We also believe fixed income investors should consider sovereign debt in regions where yields remain positive but could have further room to fall, such as Australia. In the U.S., we can envision a scenario in which the 10-year Treasury yield tracks to as low as 1%, down from the current 2.06% (as of 7/30/19). We also see total return potential on the short end of the curve as the Fed embarks on this next, rate-cutting chapter.

10-Year Treasury Yield is the interest rate on U.S. Treasury bonds that will mature 10 years from the date of purchase.
Duration measures a bond price’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates. The longer a bond’s duration, the higher its sensitivity to changes in interest rates and vice versa.

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