Ferguson: The market tilt is toward a cut, possibly as soon as September

Fed Policy & Market Reaction - The market interpreted the Fed's communication as dovish, leading to a significant market rally [1] - The market may be overreacting to the possibility of a rate cut as early as September, as more data is forthcoming [2] - A potential rate cut might be a "hawkish cut," implying a small adjustment or a step towards neutral rather than a series of cuts [3] - The circumstances surrounding a rate cut matter to the market, not just the cut itself [4] Economic Indicators & Inflation - A rate cut could signal that the Fed sees only slight economic weakness and no dramatic weakening in consumer sentiment [5] - Labor market weakness seems to be overshadowing concerns about inflation for the Fed [7] - The Fed appears comfortable with inflation running slightly above its target, but may reconsider its strategy if it exceeds a certain comfort range [8] - The Fed is data-dependent, not on autopilot, and structural changes in the market could force a reconsideration of policy [9] Tariffs & Inflation Expectations - New tariffs, such as those on furniture, add complexity and could lead to a series of rolling price increases, potentially influencing inflation expectations [10][11] - If consumers consistently see price increases, they may believe inflation is returning, which should influence the Fed's policy stance [12]