25基点太少，50基点太多：美联储降息“走钢丝”

Group 1 - The Federal Reserve announced its first interest rate cut since December 2024, lowering rates by 25 basis points, signaling a shift in focus from combating inflation to boosting employment [1][4][7] - The Fed's statement removed previous affirmations of a strong labor market, acknowledging a slowdown in job growth and a slight increase in unemployment, indicating rising risks in employment [4][7] - The median expectation from the Fed's dot plot suggests a total rate cut of 0.5 percentage points by the end of the year, with two more 25 basis point cuts anticipated in the remaining meetings [4][10] Group 2 - Barclays Research predicts a slight increase in the unemployment rate and heightened risks in employment, suggesting the Fed may implement two more 25 basis point cuts in October and December [3][11] - The Fed's inflation forecasts have been adjusted, with the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation expected to be 2.6% in 2026, indicating a longer path to achieving the 2% target [6][10] - The recent employment data shows a significant downward revision in non-farm payrolls, with the U.S. experiencing negative job growth over the past four months, justifying the 25 basis point cut [9][19] Group 3 - The appointment of Stephen I. Miran, a proponent of aggressive rate cuts, has introduced political dynamics into the Fed's decision-making process, as he voted against the 25 basis point cut [12][14] - The Fed's internal divisions regarding future rate cuts are evident, with varying predictions among officials about the number and magnitude of future cuts [15][19] - Market reactions to the rate cut have been mixed, with initial gains in U.S. stocks followed by a reversal, indicating uncertainty about the economic outlook and the effectiveness of the Fed's policies [17][19] Group 4 - Analysts express concerns that the current economic environment may lead to speculative bubbles if additional monetary easing is applied to an economy that is not weak [18][19] - The historical context of past rate cuts shows that while equities may experience volatility, gold often benefits from a declining dollar and increased demand for safe-haven assets during such periods [25][19] - The Fed's recent actions are seen as part of a broader trend towards a more dovish monetary policy framework, reflecting changing macroeconomic conditions and labor market dynamics [15][19]