Prediction markets now show a 36% chance of ZERO interest rate cuts in 2024, according to Kalshi.
To put this in perspective, 4 months ago there was a ~3% chance of no rate cuts in 2024. The base case has gone from 6 rate cuts to 1 rate cut this year. There is just a 31% chance of 2 or more interest rate cuts this year. In other words, there is a higher chance of NO cuts than 2 OR MORE cuts. Could it be the fastest shift in Fed expectations of all time? Source: The Kobeissi Letter
The annual interest expense on US debt is literally moving in a straight line higher, now at $1.1 TRILLION.
To put this in perspective, less than 3 years ago the annual interest expense on this debt was $450 billion. That's a 144% jump as total US debt has surged by over $11 TRILLION since 2020. Even in 2008, at the peak of the Financial Crisis, annual interest expense was just $450 billion. As interest rates surge and debt levels hit record highs, the US paying the prices for decades of deficit spending. Money is not "free" anymore... Source: BofA, The Kobeissi Letter
What a difference five months makes for the Fed rate cut outlook. 😉
Source: Bloomberg Intelligence, Markets & Mayhem
Financial conditions in the US are tightening as rates rise, equities fall and we see liquidity diminishing.
This setup could be set to continue as long as we see: 1) Signs of inflation remaining sticky or re-accelerating 2) The Fed cautious about the timing of cutting 3) Large deficit spending amid rising rates causing interest rate spend to surge (could hit $1.6T by Dec y/y w/o a rate cut) Source: Markets & Mayhem
Smaller companies generally spend a much higher % of their income on debt service, making them more sensitive to rising rates.
The interest coverage ratio (operating income / interest expense) for the small cap S&P 600 is 2.3 times vs. 7.6 times for the large cap sp500. Source: Charlie Bilello
BREAKING >>> Fed Chair Powell says there has been a ‘lack of further progress’ this year on inflation
SUMMARY OF FED CHAIR POWELL'S COMMENTS (4/16/24): 1. Recent data "shows lack of further progress on inflation" 2. Inflation has "introduced new uncertainty" on whether the Fed can cut rates later this year 3. Fed can maintain higher rates for "as long as needed" 4. Recent data has not given greater confidence on inflation 5. Restrictive Fed policy needs more time to work 6. It will likely take longer to "regain confidence" on inflation https://lnkd.in/eMaJZNZZ Source: CNBC, The Kobeissi Letter, Trend Spider
Longer-term inflation expectations are rising again.
The market's implied rate of inflation over the next five years has risen to the highest level in more than a year, at 2.6%, according to breakeven rates. Source: Bloomberg, Lisa Abramowitz
Yes, this week was painful for stocks.
But putting things into perspective, equities have been more resilient to higher rates recently versus previous periods of rising rates. Source: Edward Jones
