>> THIS IS "BALANCE OF POWER," LIVE FROM WASHINGTON, D. C. JOE: FROM BLOOMBERG'S WASHINGTON TV STUDIOS TO OUR TV AND RADIO AUDIENCES, WELCOME TO "BALANCE OF POWER." I'M JOE MATHIEU.PRESIDENT TRUMP CONSIDERING OPTIONS TO EXTEND HIS INFLUENCE OVER THE FED. A BLOOMBERG NEWS SCOOP HOURS AFTER THE PRESIDENT MOVED TO FIRE FED GOVERNOR LISA COOK. >> AN INFRACTION, SHE CANNOT HAVE AN INFRACTION.ESPECIALLY THAT INFRACTION BECAUSE SHE IS IN GEORGIA. MORTGAGES. WE NEED PEOPLE THAT ARE 100% ABOVE BOARD.JOE: SHE WILL NO ...

Market Trends & Fed Independence - The report discusses the relationship between markets and the Federal Reserve's independence [1] Bloomberg Surveillance - The content originates from Bloomberg Surveillance [1]

Core Viewpoint - The content emphasizes the importance of conducting personal due diligence and consulting competent advisors before making any financial decisions, particularly in the context of investments and trading activities [1]. Group 1 - The website provides general news, personal analysis, and third-party content intended for educational and research purposes [1]. - It explicitly states that the information does not constitute any recommendation or advice for investment actions [1]. - Users are advised to perform their own research and consider their financial situation before making decisions [1]. Group 2 - The website includes information about complex financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies and contracts for difference (CFDs), which carry a high risk of losing money [1]. - It encourages users to understand how these instruments work and the associated risks before investing [1].

What’s at Stake in the Fight Over Fed Independence https://t.co/cwT7EsFy9o ...

Interest Rate Policy & Inflation - The industry is closely watching the potential for interest rate cuts, but decisions depend on incoming data and colleagues' input, aiming to avoid premature commitments [1][5] - The industry acknowledges mixed inflation signals, including milder-than-expected reports and a concerning rise in services inflation, hoping the latter is a temporary blip [2][4][5] - The industry aims to bring rates down by over 100 basis points from the current median, contingent on controlling inflation and potentially returning to a 2% target [6][7] - The industry expresses concern about stagflation, a situation of declining employment and rising prices, which poses a significant challenge for central banks [8] Tariffs & Economic Impact - The industry is concerned about the impact of tariffs on prices and their duration, distinguishing between a one-time price increase and a potentially inflationary cycle [13][14] - The industry notes that tariffs on intermediate goods (parts, components, supplies) could significantly impact U S manufacturing costs and disrupt supply chains, potentially leading to persistent price increases [15][16] - Tariffs on imported goods account for 11% of the economy [3][15] Fed Independence & Political Interference - The industry emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining the central bank's independence from political interference to ensure stable inflation, growth, and employment [10][11] - The industry focuses on stabilizing prices and maximizing employment when setting interest rates, avoiding distractions from power politics or external commentary [18][19]

Monetary Policy & Economic Outlook - The market is focused on the implications of the September 17th events and recent economic data [1] - The speaker interprets recent labor market trends as showing renewed business optimism after initial uncertainty [2][3] - There's a belief that inflation is trending closer to 3% rather than 2%, with the Open Market Committee viewing inflation as a significant risk [4] - Companies have adapted to supply chain disruptions, potentially mitigating the impact of tariffs and other shocks [6][7] - As inflation approaches the dual mandate target, policy rate decisions become more complex [9][10] - The current policy rate is considered modestly restrictive, but the speaker is seeking evidence of economic inhibition [11] - The goal is to achieve a soft landing to 2% inflation without causing economic disruption [12] Federal Reserve Communication & Framework - The Federal Reserve is reviewing its framework, incorporating lessons from the 2020 pandemic cycle, with a focus on improving transmission of its policies [14][15] - A consistent framework is deemed important for collaboration and consensus among the 19 members, while maintaining agility [17][18] - There are ongoing debates about the appropriate level of Federal Reserve communication, balancing transparency with avoiding market speculation [19][20] - The Federal Reserve aims to improve public understanding of its actions and the dual mandate [21] Federal Reserve Independence & Public Perception - The Federal Reserve maintains its independence from political influence, focusing on its economic mandate [22] - The Federal Reserve's credibility is tied to fulfilling its monetary policy responsibilities [25] - Conversations with people in the district provide real-time feedback that informs policy discussions [27] - The Federal Reserve is focused on ensuring safe and sound banks, payment systems, and valuable research [28] - The Federal Reserve differentiates between the understanding of monetary policy by business/finance professionals and the general public, emphasizing the importance of communicating the dual mandate [29][30]

Fed Independence - An independent central bank has served the public well and should be respected as long as it continues to do so [2] - Independence allows the Fed to make challenging decisions based on data and evolving outlook, not political factors [2] - Governments worldwide have chosen to distance monetary policy decisions from direct political control [3] - Without independence, there would be a great temptation to use interest rates to affect elections [3] - The importance of Fed independence is widely understood, particularly in Congress [4]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The discussion primarily revolves around the impact of trade policies and tariffs on the U.S. economy and global markets, particularly in relation to President Trump's administration and its trade strategies [1][5][21]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Tariff Policy Changes**: - An increase in the "reciprocal" tariff rate from 10% to 15% is anticipated, while the 25% pharma tariff is expected to be delayed until after the 2026 midterm elections. This suggests an average effective tariff rate increase of about 14 percentage points in 2025, with a further rise to nearly 20% in 2026 [1][5]. 2. **Inflation Impact**: - The tariffs have begun to affect inflation, with estimates indicating that 60% of the tariffs implemented in February have passed through, raising the core PCE price index by 0.2%. A further 1.2% price level increase is expected, leading to a year-on-year core PCE inflation rate above 3% in the second half of the year [5][10]. 3. **Consumer Spending Trends**: - Real personal consumption has stagnated for six months, a rare occurrence outside of recession periods. This stagnation, coupled with a sharp decline in housing activity, has led to a downward revision of the H1 real GDP growth estimate to 1.1%, which is about a percentage point below potential [10][12]. 4. **Labor Market Dynamics**: - Private payroll growth has slowed significantly, with only 74,000 jobs added in June. The labor market is showing signs of weakness, with a risk of hitting "stall speed," where job creation is insufficient to maintain low unemployment rates [14][16]. 5. **Monetary Policy Outlook**: - The slowdown in economic activity has strengthened the case for earlier monetary policy easing. A forecast of three consecutive 25 basis point cuts is expected starting in September, bringing the funds rate down to 3.5%-3.75% by the end of 2025 [16][18]. 6. **Risks to Economic Forecasts**: - There are concerns regarding the independence of the Federal Reserve, which could destabilize long-term inflation expectations. A potential threat to Fed independence could arise from political pressures, particularly from the Trump administration [20][23]. 7. **Global Economic Implications**: - A 30% U.S. tariff on imports from Europe could reduce Euro area GDP by 0.5% by the end of 2026. However, there is cautious optimism regarding Euro area growth due to fiscal expansion in Germany and strength in Spain [21][24]. 8. **China's Economic Situation**: - China's GDP growth has exceeded expectations, but there are concerns about a potential "second China shock" affecting global manufacturing employment. Calls for higher trade barriers against China are likely to increase, although the effectiveness of such measures is debated [26][28]. Additional Important Insights - The report emphasizes that the current economic conditions are influenced by a combination of tariff impacts, consumer behavior, and labor market trends, which collectively shape the outlook for both the U.S. and global economies [10][14][26]. - The potential for a cyclical upturn in Germany and continued strength in Spain is noted, indicating regional variations in economic performance despite overarching global challenges [24][25].

Market Trends & Investment Opportunities - Bitcoin is great because it's still only a $2 trillion asset, suggesting potential for growth compared to gold and stock markets [1][28] - The digital economy for financial rails is growing, requiring investors to focus on it more [21][24] - Regulatory clarity bills for crypto are expected to encourage Wall Street to enter the industry, potentially leading to significant innovation [25][26] - The crypto market cap has passed $4 trillion, with expectations of significant growth over the next three years [25] - AI is considered a deflationary event, with the market viewing inflation targets as less relevant [26] Monetary Policy & Economic Impact - Fed independence is in question, potentially impacting future market cycles [12][17] - The administration needs lower rates to help people, suggesting potential pressure on the Fed [22] - The US debt has significantly increased, distorting the economy and leading to a situation resembling a Ponzi scheme [24] - Liquidity cycles tend to be violent down and violent back up [2] - There is a demographic shift towards a gambling culture, impacting investment trends [26] AI Arms Race & Technological Disruption - A truce between China and the US in the AI arms race is leading to faster development [31] - Electricity is the primary constraint on AI development [31] - US data center demand is driving earnings for companies, indicating a massive buildout [31] - AI is slowing hiring in some sectors, requiring individuals to adapt and become entrepreneurial [32] - AI tools empower individuals and can be used to build businesses quickly [41]

Inflation & Monetary Policy - The report discusses inflation and the independence of the Federal Reserve (Fed) [1] Market Focus - Bloomberg Surveillance is the source of the information [1]