Liquidity Pressures Push Repo Rates Above Fed Funds Range

The decline in liquidity was evident today, as shown by the rise in the average repo rate, which surged to 4.31%—6 basis points above the Fed’s target range of 4.00% to 4.25%. This likely means that SOFR will be very elevated tomorrow and could also move above the 4.25% level.

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This is why volumes in the reverse repo facility fell today. It suggests that excess liquidity in the marketplace may be gone. If ample liquidity were still present, the overnight funding rate would likely have traded closer to the lower bound of the Fed’s target (4%), and reverse repo volumes would have been much higher.

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In terms of the stock market, the JPM collar often distorts the trading day, and there isn’t much that can be done to avoid it. While I can’t prove it, I suspect the end-of-day move we saw in the index was tied to that collar or related hedging activity. Trying to analyze it for deeper meaning, in my view, is a waste of time. If it were collar-related, the gains should be given back fairly quickly tomorrow.

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The S&P 500 Dispersion Index is now at its highest level since the tariff tantrum. It could go higher, but historically, readings at these levels have not been a good sign.

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More By This Author:

Elevated Dispersion Highlights Market Vulnerability
Stock Market Volatility Floors Tested Amid Rising Credit Spread Risks
Big Economic Week Ahead. Are You Ready?

This report contains independent commentary to be used for informational and educational purposes only. Michael Kramer is a member and investment adviser representative with Mott Capital Management. ...

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