ETO Markets 市场洞察：降息倒计时？别天真了！美联储这盘棋比你想得更狠

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve has decided to maintain the federal funds rate in the range of 4.25%-4.50%, marking the third pause in rate hikes this year, reflecting a cautious assessment of the current economic situation [1] - The Fed's "silence" is an active response to multiple challenges, including the potential impact of tariff policies, inflation structure divergence, and regional economic imbalances [1] Inflation Dynamics - The overall inflation rate in the U.S. has dropped to 2.3% year-on-year, the lowest since 2021, primarily driven by falling food prices; however, the core CPI remains stubbornly at 2.8%, exceeding the Fed's 2% target [3] - The persistent high service prices, such as housing and healthcare, versus the cyclical decline in goods prices illustrate a complex inflation landscape [3] Regional Economic Disparities - A Fed internal survey reveals a "dual mirror" of the U.S. economy, with tourism-heavy areas like Las Vegas facing significant declines in hotel occupancy and gaming revenue, while resource-rich regions like Utah and Alaska benefit from high commodity prices [4] - This regional economic imbalance poses significant challenges for Fed policy-making, as traditional reliance on national data may fail to capture local economic conditions [4] Policy Signals and Divergence - There is a notable divide within the Fed regarding economic outlook; some officials emphasize a strong labor market and robust consumer spending, while others warn of declining business confidence and potential "second inflation" due to tariff policies [4] - This contradictory stance reflects the Fed's struggle to balance "data dependence" with "forward guidance" amid evolving economic conditions [4] Market Expectations - Despite the Fed's emphasis on data-driven policy, the market anticipates a greater than 60% probability of a rate cut in September, reflecting historical memories of the Fed's delayed responses [6] - The Fed must be cautious of repeating past mistakes by prematurely easing policies, which could reignite inflation expectations or excessively delaying could tighten financial conditions and trigger a recession [6] The Fed's Dilemma - The Fed faces a "trilemma" involving three constraints: maintaining a tight policy stance due to core inflation, allowing flexibility in response to regional economic disparities and tariff impacts, and ensuring financial stability amid high interest rates [7] - The Fed is likely to continue a "data-driven" strategy, balancing between quantitative tightening and interest rate adjustments to manage inflation and risk [7] Conclusion - The Fed's current inaction is not an endpoint but the beginning of a new policy negotiation phase, emphasizing the need for a dynamic market perspective amid uncertainties in inflation, growth, and policy [8]