BackgroundThe September FOMC meeting marks the first policy meeting since Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced a more accommodative stance on inflation and put new emphasis on the labour market.
There may also be higher expectations from the Fed, considering that fiscal relief talks are still in a stalemate. The importance of more fiscal stimulus to support the economic recovery is essential as the economy is losing some economic momentum as recently reflected in the slower U.S retail spending in August.
Five Key Points to note
1. Dot plot shows interest rates to stay near zero until at least 2023: In line with the Fed’s ‘lower for longer’ stance, the dot plot released showed that interest rates are expected to remain low at 0 – 0.25% until at least 2023 (Figure 1). Low interest rates may have already been widely expected by the markets, but the extension of thid timeline may further reassure markets of Fed’s dovish stance.
2. Economic growth projection revised upwards: Real GDP growth is projected to be between -5.5% to 1.0% in 2020. This is an upward revision from June’s projection where real GDP growth is projected to be between -10.0% to -4.2%. Although Powell acknowledged that the recovery has progressed faster than expected, he indicated that the “path ahead remains highly uncertain”. The comment seems to question the fact whether the strong pace of economic recovery can be sustained moving forward.
3. Unemployment projection revised downwards: The Fed projects unemployment to average around 7.0% to 8% for Q4 2020. This is a downward revision from June’s projection of around 9% to 10%, which indicates that the economic recovery may progress faster than expected. The strong recovery in the labour market could have been expected, considering that we have seen a better-than-expected fall in unemployment figure in August. However, despite the recovery, we note that the current 8.4% unemployment is still way higher than pre-COVID level of 3.5% and that recovery may drag through 2021.
4. Inflation will be tolerated: The Fed reiterated a willingness to tolerate periods of higher inflation in favour of recovery in the labour market. With the more accommodative stance on inflation, the core PCE inflation is projected to be between 1.2% to 1.6%, an upward revision from June’s projection of between 0.7% to 1.3%.
There is no specific period given in terms of how long inflation remain above 2% before any rate increase will be considered. However, looking at the projections, it will be at the end of 2023 where we will see the unemployment rate reaching pre-COVID level of 3.5% and inflation picking up towards 2%. This further confirms that rates will remain low until 2023 but may start to pick up in 2024 if the projections hold true.
5. Press Conference: Powell reiterated that the Fed is “certainly not out of ammo” and that they have plenty of tools to support the economy. He indicates that purchases of Treasury and mortgage-backed securities are being maintained now to also support a faster economic recovery.
However, Powell signalled that more fiscal support is likely to be needed and is “essential in the good progress we see now”. The term ‘essential’ highlights the utmost importance of the impending relief stimulus which have been put on a stalemate and remain a key risk to the economic recovery process.
Disclaimer
Important Information: This report is prepared and/or distributed by Phillip Securities Research Pte Ltd (“Phillip Securities Research”), which is a holder of a financial adviser’s licence under the Financial Advisers Act, Chapter 110 in Singapore.
By receiving or reading this report, you agree to be bound by the terms and limitations set out below. Any failure to comply with these terms and limitations may constitute a violation of law. This report has been provided to you for personal use only and shall not be reproduced, distributed or published by you in whole or in part, for any purpose. If you have received this report by mistake, please delete or destroy it, and notify the sender immediately.
The information and any analysis, forecasts, projections, expectations and opinions (collectively, the “Research”) contained in this report has been obtained from public sources which Phillip Securities Research believes to be reliable. However, Phillip Securities Research does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied that such information or Research is accurate, complete or appropriate or should be relied upon as such. Any such information or Research contained in this report is subject to change, and Phillip Securities Research shall not have any responsibility to maintain or update the information or Research made available or to supply any corrections, updates or releases in connection therewith.
Any opinions, forecasts, assumptions, estimates, valuations and prices contained in this report are as of the date indicated and are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Past performance of any product referred to in this report is not indicative of future results.
This report does not constitute, and should not be used as a substitute for, tax, legal or investment advice. This report should not be relied upon exclusively or as authoritative, without further being subject to the recipient’s own independent verification and exercise of judgement. The fact that this report has been made available constitutes neither a recommendation to enter into a particular transaction, nor a representation that any product described in this report is suitable or appropriate for the recipient. Recipients should be aware that many of the products, which may be described in this report involve significant risks and may not be suitable for all investors, and that any decision to enter into transactions involving such products should not be made, unless all such risks are understood and an independent determination has been made that such transactions would be appropriate. Any discussion of the risks contained herein with respect to any product should not be considered to be a disclosure of all risks or a complete discussion of such risks.
Nothing in this report shall be construed to be an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any product. Any decision to purchase any product mentioned in this report should take into account existing public information, including any registered prospectus in respect of such product.
Phillip Securities Research, or persons associated with or connected to Phillip Securities Research, including but not limited to its officers, directors, employees or persons involved in the issuance of this report, may provide an array of financial services to a large number of corporations in Singapore and worldwide, including but not limited to commercial / investment banking activities (including sponsorship, financial advisory or underwriting activities), brokerage or securities trading activities. Phillip Securities Research, or persons associated with or connected to Phillip Securities Research, including but not limited to its officers, directors, employees or persons involved in the issuance of this report, may have participated in or invested in transactions with the issuer(s) of the securities mentioned in this report, and may have performed services for or solicited business from such issuers. Additionally, Phillip Securities Research, or persons associated with or connected to Phillip Securities Research, including but not limited to its officers, directors, employees or persons involved in the issuance of this report, may have provided advice or investment services to such companies and investments or related investments, as may be mentioned in this report.
Phillip Securities Research or persons associated with or connected to Phillip Securities Research, including but not limited to its officers, directors, employees or persons involved in the issuance of this report may, from time to time maintain a long or short position in securities referred to herein, or in related futures or options, purchase or sell, make a market in, or engage in any other transaction involving such securities, and earn brokerage or other compensation in respect of the foregoing. Investments will be denominated in various currencies including US dollars and Euro and thus will be subject to any fluctuation in exchange rates between US dollars and Euro or foreign currencies and the currency of your own jurisdiction. Such fluctuations may have an adverse effect on the value, price or income return of the investment.
To the extent permitted by law, Phillip Securities Research, or persons associated with or connected to Phillip Securities Research, including but not limited to its officers, directors, employees or persons involved in the issuance of this report, may at any time engage in any of the above activities as set out above or otherwise hold an interest, whether material or not, in respect of companies and investments or related investments, which may be mentioned in this report. Accordingly, information may be available to Phillip Securities Research, or persons associated with or connected to Phillip Securities Research, including but not limited to its officers, directors, employees or persons involved in the issuance of this report, which is not reflected in this report, and Phillip Securities Research, or persons associated with or connected to Phillip Securities Research, including but not limited to its officers, directors, employees or persons involved in the issuance of this report, may, to the extent permitted by law, have acted upon or used the information prior to or immediately following its publication. Phillip Securities Research, or persons associated with or connected to Phillip Securities Research, including but not limited its officers, directors, employees or persons involved in the issuance of this report, may have issued other material that is inconsistent with, or reach different conclusions from, the contents of this report.
The information, tools and material presented herein are not directed, intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to the applicable law or regulation or which would subject Phillip Securities Research to any registration or licensing or other requirement, or penalty for contravention of such requirements within such jurisdiction.
This report is intended for general circulation only and does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. The products mentioned in this report may not be suitable for all investors and a person receiving or reading this report should seek advice from a professional and financial adviser regarding the legal, business, financial, tax and other aspects including the suitability of such products, taking into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of that person, before making a commitment to invest in any of such products.
This report is not intended for distribution, publication to or use by any person in any jurisdiction outside of Singapore or any other jurisdiction as Phillip Securities Research may determine in its absolute discretion.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES FOR INCLUDED RESEARCH ANALYSES OR REPORTS OF FOREIGN RESEARCH HOUSES Where the report contains research analyses or reports from a foreign research house, please note: (i) recipients of the analyses or reports are to contact Phillip Securities Research (and not the relevant foreign research house) in Singapore at 250 North Bridge Road, #06-00 Raffles City Tower, Singapore 179101, telephone number +65 6533 6001, in respect of any matters arising from, or in connection with, the analyses or reports; and (ii) to the extent that the analyses or reports are delivered to and intended to be received by any person in Singapore who is not an accredited investor, expert investor or institutional investor, Phillip Securities Research accepts legal responsibility for the contents of the analyses or reports.
If Distribution is to Australian Investors This report is produced by Phillip Securities Pte Ltd and is being distributed in Australia by Phillip Capital Limited (Australian Financial Services License No. 246827). This report contains general securities advice and does not take into account your personal objectives, situation and needs. Please read the Disclosures and Disclaimers set out above. By receiving or reading this report, you agree to be bound by the terms and limitations set out above. Any failure to comply with these terms and limitations may constitute a violation of law. This report has been provided to you for personal use only and shall not be reproduced, distributed or published by you in whole or in part, for any purpose. If you have received this report by mistake, please delete or destroy it, and notify the sender immediately.