|

One and done for Fed rate hikes in 2023?

There is a 99.8 percent chance the Fed hikes by a quarter point on February 1. Is that it for the year?

Rate hike probabilities for the February 1 FOMC meeting.

The above graph is from CME Fedwatch. 

The market is nearly 100 percent certain of a rate hike in February to the range 4.50-4.75 percent.

Let's turn our focus to December.

Target Rate Probabilities for December 2023

The market says it's odd-on for the Fed to cut rates later this year. 

So is it one and done then one cut? Not quite.

Target Rate Probabilities for June 2023

The market believes there is a 90.1 percent chance the Fed gets in at least one more hike in 2023.

There's a 36.4 percent chance of 2 or more quarter-point hikes through June. 

Not One And Done

The market does not expect one and done. 

However, there's a 56.9 percent chance that net hikes for the year are zero. 

Whatever hikes the Fed does get in through June, the market expects will be taken back. 

Will the Fed Get to 4.75-5.00 Percent or Higher?

I expect they will if for no other reason than the Fed can be stubborn as hell when it makes pronouncements. 

It kept QE going when it was clear that it shouldn't.

The Fed is not really data dependent. It does what it wants and makes excuses for it. 

However, if there is a credit event of some sort, the Fed will not get in those June hikes. February is a done deal. 

Author

Mike “Mish” Shedlock's

Mike “Mish” Shedlock's

Sitka Pacific Capital Management,Llc

More from Mike “Mish” Shedlock's
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD climbs to two-week highs beyond 1.1900

EUR/USD is keeping its foot on the gas at the start of the week, reclaiming the 1.1900 barrier and above on Monday. The US Dollar remains on the back foot, with traders reluctant to step in ahead of Wednesday’s key January jobs report, allowing the pair to extend its upward grind for now.

GBP/USD hits three-day peaks, targets 1.3700

GBP/USD is clocking decent gains at the start of the week, advancing to three-day highs near 1.3670 and building on Friday’s solid performance. The better tone in the British Pound comes on the back of the intense sekk-off in the Greenback and despite re-emerging signs of a fresh government crisis in the UK.

Gold treads water around $5,000

Gold is trading in an inconclusive fashion around the key $5,000 mark on Monday week. Support is coming from fresh signs of further buying from the PBoC, while expectations that the Fed could turn more dovish, alongside concerns over its independence, keep the demand for the precious metal running.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin steadies around $70,000, Ethereum and XRP remain under pressure 

Bitcoin hovers around $70,000, up near 15% from last week's low of $60,000 despite low retail demand. Ethereum delicately holds $2,000 support as weak technicals weigh amid declining futures Open Interest. XRP seeks support above $1.40 after facing rejection at $1.54 during the previous week's sharp rebound.

Japanese PM Takaichi nabs unprecedented victory – US data eyed this week

I do not think I would be exaggerating to say that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s snap general election gamble paid off over the weekend – and then some. This secured the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) an unprecedented mandate just three months into her tenure.

Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple consolidate after massive sell-off

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple prices consolidated on Monday after correcting by nearly 9%, 8%, and 10% in the previous week, respectively. BTC is hovering around $70,000, while ETH and XRP are facing rejection at key levels. Traders should be cautious: despite recent stabilization, upside recovery for these top three cryptocurrencies is capped as the broader trend remains bearish.