Fed to keep 50bps cut option in back pocket as economy isn't calling for rescue
Source Investing
Investing.com -- The Federal Reserve is likely to keep the 50 basis point rate cut option in its back pocket as the pace of the economic slowdown is screaming out for a rescue with big rate cuts, according to analysts at Capital Economics.
"[O]ur sense is that policymakers are more likely to keep the 50bp option in the back-pocket," analysts at Capital Economics said in a note ahead of the Fed's Sept. 18 meeting.
Market bets on a 50 basis point rate cut at next week's FOMC meeting have decreased slightly, but "the chances of larger cuts at subsequent meetings have increased," following signals from Fed officials.
"If the data suggests the need for larger cuts, then I will support that as well. I was a big advocate of front-loading rate hikes when inflation accelerated in 2022, and I will be an advocate of front-loading rate cuts if that is appropriate," Fed Governor Christopher Waller said in remarks prepared for delivery at the University of Notre Dame on Sept. 6.
The recent mixed-to-weak U.S. economic data and sharp falls in equity markets have brought the so-called "Fed put" back into focus.
But the totality of recent economic data and the financial market backdrop makes it "hard to argue" for a rapid and forceful Fed responses seen in previous downturns.
Markets, however, are currently pricing in 125 basis points of cuts through the end of the year.
It would take a "significant further deterioration in economic data or financial stability" to justify the pace of policy easing currently priced into money markets, the analysts added.
Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Recommended Articles
Get the latest gold price analysis, forex gold insights, and XAU/USD analysis for November 11, 2026. Read on for the details.
Bitcoin lost its 200-day average — but the exit started three sessions before the CPIBitcoin fell 2.5% to about $73,400 on 11 November, an 11-week low, breaking its 200-day moving average near $73,100. The 24-hour liquidation tally reached $632 to $705 million, roughly 82% of it longs. But spot ETF outflows began three sessions earlier and USDT's market cap has shrunk $6.6 billion in 60 days — the leveraged length left before the inflation print did. A double top at 81,890 and 81,080 leaves a measured target of 69,366.
Bitcoin fell 2.5% to about $73,400 on 11 November, an 11-week low, breaking its 200-day moving average near $73,100. The 24-hour liquidation tally reached $632 to $705 million, roughly 82% of it longs. But spot ETF outflows began three sessions earlier and USDT's market cap has shrunk $6.6 billion in 60 days — the leveraged length left before the inflation print did. A double top at 81,890 and 81,080 leaves a measured target of 69,366.
Nvidia slid 7.7% after hours while AMD and Broadcom rose — the AI trade changed hands, it didn't breakNvidia closed Wednesday at 173.73, up 2.87%, then fell as much as 8.1% to 159.44 after reports that its board was preparing for a possible leadership change. The same session, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 5.7% with all 30 components higher, CoreWeave jumped 24.7% on 168% revenue growth, and Micron added 11.9%. If AI demand were being repriced, AMD and Broadcom would not be bid. This is a governance discount on one name, and 204.54 — the 200-day average — is the level that settles it.
Nvidia closed Wednesday at 173.73, up 2.87%, then fell as much as 8.1% to 159.44 after reports that its board was preparing for a possible leadership change. The same session, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 5.7% with all 30 components higher, CoreWeave jumped 24.7% on 168% revenue growth, and Micron added 11.9%. If AI demand were being repriced, AMD and Broadcom would not be bid. This is a governance discount on one name, and 204.54 — the 200-day average — is the level that settles it.
Gold hit a one-year low while central banks bought 321 tonnes — the sellers were never the ones you thinkSpot gold closed at 3,876 on Thursday, down 2.8% and its lowest close in more than a year, with an intraday low near 3,852. The dollar is at a 19-month high of 103.21 and the 10-year yield is at 5.10%, so the price move is easy to explain. What is harder to explain is who sold: central banks bought 321 tonnes in Q3, the PBoC added for a 24th straight month, ETF holdings are near a record 4,256 tonnes, and roughly 95% of the futures selling came from non-reportable and sovereign-type accounts rather than hedge funds. This piece separates the two books that have to balance.
Spot gold closed at 3,876 on Thursday, down 2.8% and its lowest close in more than a year, with an intraday low near 3,852. The dollar is at a 19-month high of 103.21 and the 10-year yield is at 5.10%, so the price move is easy to explain. What is harder to explain is who sold: central banks bought 321 tonnes in Q3, the PBoC added for a 24th straight month, ETF holdings are near a record 4,256 tonnes, and roughly 95% of the futures selling came from non-reportable and sovereign-type accounts rather than hedge funds. This piece separates the two books that have to balance.
Brent rose 3.3% and US crude stocks built 4.66 million barrels in the same weekBrent January settled at 95.82, up 3.3%, and WTI at 88.74, up 2.55%, after the US signalled it would not pursue a deal with Iran and attacks on Gulf shipping continued. In the same week, EIA data showed US crude inventories rising 4.657 million barrels against expectations of a 1.1 million draw, with gasoline up another 1.799 million. OPEC output also rebounded 1.96 million barrels a day to 27.16 million in October, led by Saudi Arabia at 10.56 million. This piece separates the geopolitical premium from the physical balance and lays out where each side of the trade is anchored.
Brent January settled at 95.82, up 3.3%, and WTI at 88.74, up 2.55%, after the US signalled it would not pursue a deal with Iran and attacks on Gulf shipping continued. In the same week, EIA data showed US crude inventories rising 4.657 million barrels against expectations of a 1.1 million draw, with gasoline up another 1.799 million. OPEC output also rebounded 1.96 million barrels a day to 27.16 million in October, led by Saudi Arabia at 10.56 million. This piece separates the geopolitical premium from the physical balance and lays out where each side of the trade is anchored.
