BofA Global Research Fund Manager Survey:  US Growth Optimism, Fed Rate Cut Expectations Drive ‘Super Bullish’ Sentiment at Year-end

–US Stock Allocation Highest on Record –Cash Allocation at All-Time Lows, Triggers Contrarian Sell Signal, BOA Says By Vicki Schmelzer NEW YORK (MaceNews) – U.S. growth optimism and Fed rate cut expectations drove the “super-bullish” risk sentiment seen at year-end, according to BofA Global Research’s monthly fund manager survey, released Tuesday. A net 7% of […]

Cleveland Fed’s Hammack: FOMC Is Getting Close To Needing to Slow Rate Cuts

– Need to Keep Monetary Policy ‘Modestly Restrictive’ To Reduce Still High Inflation By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – The Federal Reserve is approaching a point where it should “slow the pace” of interest rate reductions, new Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank President Beth Hammack said Friday. Hammack, a voting member of the Fed’s rate-setting Federal […]

Powell: Fed Can Afford to Be ‘More Cautious’ About Easing Toward ‘Neutral’

– Cites Strong Growth; Low Unemployment; ‘Higher’ Inflation By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell strongly suggested Wednesday that he favors a gradual, careful approach to further interest rate reductions. Powell said the Fed is in the process of lowering short-term interest rates to a “more neutral” level but said the […]

Fed Gov. Waller Leans toward Dec. 18 Rate Cut but Allows for Pause

By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said Monday that he is “leaning” toward supporting a quarter percentage point cut in short-term interest rates when the Fed holds its mid-December monetary policy meeting but opened the door to a pause in the monetary easing process if incoming economic data so warrant. […]

FOMC Minutes Don’t Rule Out or Guarantee December Rate Cut

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting earlier this month, published Tuesday, were faithfully in line with Fed Chair Powell’s post-meeting comments, seeing the likelihood of another rate cut in December as in November if the economy and inflation remain on the current path. The portion of the minutes devoted […]

Fed Officials Keep Speaking Cautiously About Cutting Interest Rates Further

– Cook: More Rate Cuts ‘Likely’ but Size, Timing to Depend on Data – Schmid: “It Remains to Be Seen’ How Much Lower Rates Should Go By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve policymakers have continued this week to signal caution on further interest rate reductions. When the Fed’s policymaking Federal Open Market Committee […]

Powell: Fed In No ‘Hurry’ To Keep Cutting Interest Rates

– FOMC Will Proceed ‘Carefully,’ ‘Patiently’ Toward ‘Neutral’ Funds Rate – FOMC May Slow Pace of Easing As It Approaches Neutral Range – Level of Neutrality Uncertain; So Should Move ‘Slowly and Carefully’ By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell declared Thursday that the Fed is in no “hurry” to keep […]