美联储“鹰鸽大战”愈发激烈，短期内降息阻力重重

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve's December monetary policy meeting minutes reveal significant internal disagreements regarding the decision to lower interest rates and future monetary policy expectations [1][2]. Group 1: Interest Rate Decisions - On December 10, the Federal Reserve announced a 25 basis point reduction in the federal funds rate target range to between 3.50% and 3.75%, with a vote of 9 in favor and 3 against, marking the highest number of dissenting votes since 2019 [1]. - Some officials expressed that the decision to ease monetary policy was a delicate balance due to various economic risks, indicating that they could have supported maintaining the current rate [2]. Group 2: Diverging Opinions - There is a growing divide among policymakers regarding whether inflation or unemployment poses a greater risk to the U.S. economy, leading to a more intense "hawk-dove" debate [2]. - Many officials believe that further rate cuts are appropriate if inflation decreases as expected, while others suggest maintaining rates for a period to assess the delayed impacts of recent monetary policy on the labor market and economic activity [2]. Group 3: Market Implications - The anticipated rate cuts are seen as beneficial for U.S. equities, particularly for small and mid-cap companies, with expectations of a continued market uptrend until 2026 [2]. - The potential for further rate cuts may weaken the U.S. dollar, which could favor emerging market stocks and local bonds [3]. Group 4: Short-Term Treasury Purchases - The Federal Reserve has initiated a "mini QE" through a short-term Treasury bond purchase program, with plans to buy approximately $220 billion in short-term Treasury bills over the next 12 months [4][5]. - As of December, the Fed had already purchased about $38 billion in short-term Treasury bills and plans to conduct two more purchasing operations in January [5]. Group 5: Reserve Management - The purchases are intended for reserve management and are not considered traditional QE, with the likelihood of true QE being low unless the U.S. faces a recession or systemic financial risks [6].