My, how things have changed in a relatively short period of time. As we finished off 2018 and entered the new calendar year, expectations for future Federal Reserve (Fed) policy actions were altered dramatically. Now, here we are in a wait-and-see mode as Chairman Jerome Powell and the rest of the FOMC appear to be taking a sitting, waiting and wishing approach toward monetary policy.

The graph below highlights how the market’s Fed expectations essentially have been dictated by what has occurred in the U.S. stock market over the last couple of months. Until November 8, Fed Funds Futures were pricing in the possibility of two rate hikes in 2019. While that was one less move than the Fed’s own forecast at the time, it was still consistent with what the policy makers were also envisioning.

Then the stock market decided to take its selling pressure to another level. What began as a more moderate move off its highs in late September/early October turned into a rout from early November into the opening days of 2019. Not coincidentally, Fed Funds Futures followed the stock market’s lead and, amazingly, turned “two rate hikes” into a “rate cut” as recently as January 3. 

S&P 500 vs. Fed Funds Futures January 2020 Contract 

Since the first few trading sessions of the new year, the markets have received a rather robust jobs report combined with Fed-speak suggesting that the policy makers are not on some predetermined path to raise rates no matter what. Chair Powell has led the way on this front, emphasizing a patient, flexible approach to the decision-making process, one that has become data dependent. In addition, Powell and Co. have also mentioned they are paying attention to what the markets are saying but also acknowledging that they are more pessimistic than the Fed on the growth outlook, going as far as saying that the economy is “solid” and not predicting a recession in 2019. 

Conclusion

So, as winter begins to move into full gear, we are left with no clear guidance but must also wait out economic data, and perhaps equally important, keep a close eye on the risk markets for any additional signals. As of this writing, Fed Funds Futures have bounced up a bit in yield and appear to be signaling no rate hikes from the Fed will be forthcoming this year. Here’s food for thought: perhaps the Fed does take its time on the rate front because it still has its balance sheet operating in “roll-off” mode…just thinking out loud.