The Fed reaches its predicted terminal rate – now what?

In the game of chicken between the US Federal Reserve (Fed) and the bond market that has been going on since last year, the US central bank won out by reaching its stated terminal rate of 5.25% for this tightening cycle. Still to be determined is how long the upper limit of the federal funds rate remains at this level. The Fed has been adamant that it is premature to consider a rate cut – expecting the 5.25% level to stick through the end of 2023 – whereas the market divines that rates will slide to 4.50% by December.

Leading into the May meeting, many market participants were eager to categorise the well-telegraphed 25 basis point (bps) increase as a dovish hike. We don’t think that’s the case, as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and other voting members rightly recognise the risks posed by inflation to consumers’ purchasing power and price stability across the economy. Consequently, we see this week’s decision as a modestly hawkish pause that will allow the Fed to gauge previous rate increases’ impact on further lowering inflation.

And now the hard part

We have long stated that it would be much easier to lower inflation from its 9.1% peak to 5.0%, based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index, than it would be to get from 5.0% to the Fed’s 2.0% objective. For perspective, the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation – the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index – has fallen a more muted 5.4% to 4.6%. Standing in the way is the persistent nature of this bout of inflation, especially the stickiness of service-sector wages due to a historically tight labour market.

Many have suggested that with several leading indicators – namely an inverted US Treasuries yield curve – already signalling weakness, the Fed may stick to its tendency of transitioning to rate cuts in relatively short order. Probabilities based on futures markets imply a cut by as soon as July. We do not think that will be the case, however. Historically, quicker pivots have occurred when the central bank prematurely turned dovish, such as during the 1970s and early 1980s. This only allowed inflation to become more embedded, setting the stage for policy having to ultimately become even more restrictive.

 Admittedly, both inflation and employment are lagging indicators, and once they roll over, the economy is already on a decidedly downward path. At the risk of deploying an overused market cliché, we believe this time may be different given the persistence and pervasiveness of inflation globally and the perplexing dearth of US workers.

Some progress is being made on both these fronts: US job openings are down 20% from their peak, and while still in expansion territory, the employment component of the US Services Purchasing Managers Index has dipped toward contraction territory over the past few months. Yet, with more work likely necessary to keep inflation heading lower, we believe the Fed is more apt to take a potentially extended pause – and even surprise markets with another 25 bps hike later in the year should the data merit it – rather than implement a poorly timed pivot.

Banking tumult cutting both ways

Chairman Powell again addressed the failure of several US banks, stating that the country’s banking system remains healthy and well capitalised. While an unwelcome development, skittishness among the banking community may play into to Fed’s hands. We believe that the tightening credit standards that are likely the result of the banking tumult could translate to the equivalent of roughly an additional 25 bps rate increase.

Diverging paths

With the end of this tightening cycle likely on the horizon, bond investors can begin thinking about shifting toward an opportunistic stance within the global market. While inflation is a global phenomenon driven in part by ascendant forces such as deglobalisation and tight labour markets, we are starting to see divergence in the policy paths of different regions. The US, for instance, was forceful – albeit late – in its response. This is evident in yields on all but the shortest of maturities having fallen in 2023.

Australia, meanwhile, caught the market somewhat off guard with its recent rate increase, but its policy rate remains well below that of the US. The European Central Bank was late to the game and has been playing catch-up since mid-2022 in an attempt to drive down headline inflation of 7.0%. The upshot is bond investors now have the ability to not only capture levels of income not available only a year ago, but also position themselves to participate in the capital appreciation that can diversify against riskier assets in times of stress. Indeed, this is how US bonds performed during the volatile stretch caused by banking sector tumult.

Lastly, bond investors need to recognize that the days of chasing yield are over. A higher cost of capital has put many companies that are dependent upon cheap financing on the back foot. Tightening credit standards will only exacerbate this trend. We are especially cautious of lower-quality companies and those exposed to a high degree of economic cyclicality. Instead, we believe that the resetting of yields has made corporate issuers with proven management teams and the ability to consistently generate cash flow throughout the cycle an attractive destination on a risk-adjusted basis.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Diversification neither assures a profit nor eliminates the risk of experiencing investment losses.