Grinding weaker labor market will lead Fed to be more dovish, says Neuberger Berman's Joe Amato

Core Viewpoint - The state of the labor market is critical for determining the Federal Reserve's future actions, with expectations of a weaker labor market leading to a more dovish Fed stance than currently anticipated [2][3]. Economic Outlook - The expectation is for one more rate cut from the Fed, while the market is pricing in two or more cuts [4]. - Growth is expected to hold up better, and inflation is anticipated to improve, which will lead the Fed to adopt an accommodative policy [5]. - The fixed income market is projected to be less volatile in the coming year compared to the previous year, with a return to a carry trade keeping long-term rates stable [6]. Monetary Policy Divergence - There is a divergence in monetary policy globally, with some countries tightening while the US and China are expected to maintain accommodative policies [7]. - Recent Fed votes showed significant divergence among members regarding rate cuts, highlighting the importance of upcoming economic data [8]. Equity Market Expectations - The equity market outlook for 2026 is constructive, with expectations of increased nominal growth and strong earnings supported by fiscal stimulus and deregulation [8][9]. - Fiscal stimulus is expected to be front-loaded in the first half of 2026, which includes tax refunds and incentives for capital expenditures [10]. Fed Chair Impact - The credibility of the Fed chair is crucial for maintaining bond market stability, and the leadership of the new chair will significantly influence this credibility [12][14]. - All candidates for the Fed chair position are viewed as credible, and the independence of the Fed is seen as a gradual process rather than a binary state [13].