Fed Rate Cut: Why There Could Be Another 25 Bps Cut This Year

As a seasoned economist with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve witnessed countless economic shifts and policy changes that have shaped our nation’s financial landscape. The current situation surrounding the Federal Reserve and its potential rate cuts is an intriguing case study for me, as it presents unique challenges and uncertainties.


Federal Reserve officials are gearing up for another potential interest rate reduction coming up, as they attempt to address ongoing reductions in price increases that had earlier caused public discontent among many Americans and played a role in Donald Trump’s election victory.

Nevertheless, the Fed’s future policy moves are now shrouded in uncertainty following the election, as Trump’s economic proposals have faced criticism for potentially stoking inflation. Additionally, Trump’s advocacy for a greater role in Federal Reserve decision-making, including interest rates, has sparked concerns about political interference.

Trump’s Push for Fed Rate Cut May Face Limits

Historically, the Federal Reserve maintains its autonomy when deciding on interest rates, avoiding external political pressure whether rates decrease or increase. Yet, it appears that another rate reduction by 0.25% may occur in the coming week.

During his election campaign, Donald Trump pledged consumer financial aid by means of reduced interest rates. Yet, as president, achieving this goal will require considerable effort and progress will occur gradually, mostly beyond his direct control.

Trump pledged to reduce interest rates, without specifying the method. He accused the Federal Reserve of maintaining rates excessively high and argued that a president ought to possess greater influence in determining those rates. In public, he rebuked Jerome Powell, the Fed chairman, for acting too slowly on reducing interest rates.

Trump has advocated for lower interest rates from the Federal Reserve to benefit consumers and businesses. However, he has less direct influence over mortgage and long-term loan rates, which are determined by the bond market. These rates take into account various factors such as inflation predictions, economic growth prospects, and the future state of U.S. debt, all of which are beyond the control of a single person or entity.

As an analyst, I’m observing that despite some concerns, consumer spending continues to show robustness. However, certain economic experts are cautioning against lowering interest rates too much more due to the potential risk of overheating the economy, which could in turn spark a resurgence of inflation.

Investors Raise Yields, Dimming Impact of Fed Rate Cut Amid Trump’s Economic Outlook

Currently, financial markets pose a fresh dilemma to the Federal Reserve. Investors have significantly increased Treasury bond yields following the last interest rate decrease, thereby raising overall borrowing costs within the economy. This action also weakens the advantages derived from the Fed’s recent 0.5 percentage point reduction in its key lending rate.

This summer, the typical U.S. 30-year mortgage rate dropped following the Federal Reserve’s predicted interest rate decrease. Yet, once the central bank implemented their plan, rates started to climb again. Looking at the broader context, interest rates have been on an upward trend since the election as investors gear up for possible inflation and increased federal budget deficits.

The anticipated faster economic growth due to President-elect Trump’s term has played a role in interest rate hikes as well. This so-called “Trump effect” has positively influenced stock markets, the U.S. dollar, and the value of Bitcoin.

Trump’s economic strategies, such as increased tariffs and taxes on imports, might exacerbate inflation rates. Additionally, his immigration policies may add to inflationary pressures, potentially restricting the Federal Reserve’s ability to lower interest rates. Although annual inflation declined to 2.1% in September, broader trends could influence future fluctuations.

Possible Bitcoin Rally as Investors Seek Safe Haven 

Initially, Bitcoin was marketed as a protective measure against inflation, currency devaluation, and low-interest rates. It appeared to withstand conventional market pressures when its value increased dramatically. However, upon closer examination, Bitcoin’s path has shown sensitivity towards the same factors that influence other high-risk investments, such as stocks from retail sectors.

As interest rates increase, investors find riskier assets such as Bitcoin less attractive due to their volatile nature. On the other hand, reductions in interest rates typically boost the confidence of Bitcoin investors. The price drop observed in Bitcoin since late 2021 coincides with the Federal Reserve tightening its monetary policy and the subsequent failure of FTX, which greatly affected market sentiment. However, when the pace of rate hikes slowed and financial instability swept through markets in 2023, renewed interest in Bitcoin emerged. The peak of Treasury yields in October sparked optimism about potential lower rates, creating favorable conditions for a Bitcoin rally.

In September and November of 2024, there were signs suggesting the Federal Reserve might keep reducing interest rates, and this was supported by renewed optimism within the crypto community which led to an increase in Bitcoin’s value. If the Fed makes additional cuts, we might witness a significant surge in Bitcoin prices as investors begin to seek refuge from economic instability.

 

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2024-11-09 22:20