Fed Independence & Political Influence - The potential firing of Fed Governor Lisa Cook by President Trump raises concerns about the legality of the move, the independence of the Fed, and the outlook for monetary policy [1] - The market may not react negatively to a perceived lack of Fed independence, prioritizing immediate easy monetary policy over long-term inflation concerns [24] - The Federal Reserve is potentially becoming permanently politically marked, similar to the Supreme Court, influencing how it's perceived and judged [30] Monetary Policy Outlook - Market probabilities initially showed an 82% probability of a rate cut in September, with a slight increase from 34% to 42% for a second cut in October following the news [5] - The market was already pricing in a dovish Fed, with the December 2026 Fed funds contract at 3% [20] - A Trump-controlled Fed board could potentially eliminate the 12 district presidents, effectively giving the president full control of monetary policy [6] Potential Market Reactions - Key indicators to watch for market concern about Fed independence are the dollar, the bond market, and then the stock market [25] - The strength of the American economy and the liquidity of US dollars globally might make the market immune to concerns about Fed independence [26] Board Composition - Replacing Cook would potentially give Trump a majority on the Fed board [5] - Current board members have varying degrees of perceived independence, with some seen as more likely to align with the president's views [18][19]

Monetary Policy & Interest Rates - The market anticipates a potential rate cut in September, influenced by Chairman Powell's recent statements [1] - The Federal Reserve (Fed) is increasingly concerned about rising unemployment rates, potentially triggered by changes in immigration policies and other factors [2] - The Fed's emphasis on employment over inflation, despite inflation being at 3% (above the 2% target), raises questions about its policy bias [6] - There's debate on whether current policies are "modestly restrictive," with arguments suggesting real rates are closer to neutral at 150 basis points (15%) [7] Economic Trends & Labor Market - The economy is experiencing a slowdown in both supply and demand, creating a "curious" situation [3] - Global demographic shifts, including declining fertility rates, are impacting the labor market [4] - Monthly job growth of 40,000 to 50,000 may not be a negative outcome, considering the evolving dynamics of the labor market [4] - Recent labor reports and revisions were not favorable, contributing to the Fed's openness to a September rate cut [5] Fed Independence & Political Pressure - There are concerns about the Fed's independence due to significant and direct political pressure, reminiscent of the Johnson and Nixon eras [12][13] - The Fed is under pressure from the administration, potentially affecting the reappointment of board members [12] - Chairman Powell is navigating differing views within the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) and attempting to build consensus [9][10] - The Fed's decisions are heavily data-dependent, closely monitoring upcoming inflation and employment reports before their September meeting [11]

Federal Reserve & Monetary Policy - The Fed's members must work without political considerations to make the best judgments [2] - The FOMC consists of governors and Fed presidents, requiring consensus-building rather than individual decisions [6][7] - The Fed is balancing sluggish job market and GDP growth with above-target inflation, primarily in services [9] - The debate within the Fed centers on whether to prioritize inflation or the labor market side of the dual mandate [11][12] - A strong August jobs number could reduce the likelihood of action at the September meeting [12] - The debate is about the risk of not meeting either side of the dual mandate [12] Inflation & Economic Data - Approximately 80 million workers in the US making $50,000 or less have lost over 25% of purchasing power in the last five years [14] - The Fed should aim for a 2% headline inflation rate, especially for low and moderate-income workers [14][15] - Consumers can substitute goods for services, with goods representing about 25% of the US economy and services 75% [17] - The Beige Book is a critical part of the Fed's process, providing valuable anecdotal insights from businesses across the country [20][21] - Over-reliance on any single data print should be avoided, focusing instead on three-to-six-month trends [23][24]

Key Takeaways from the FX and Rates Sentiment Survey Industry Overview - The survey focuses on the foreign exchange (FX) and rates market sentiment, particularly regarding the US dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), and emerging markets (EM) currencies. It reflects the views of 42 fund managers with a total of USD 573 billion in assets under management (AUM) [7][9]. Core Insights 1. **Short USD Thesis**: The short USD remains the highest conviction trade for the rest of the year, despite being challenged by rising global growth concerns [1][3][20]. 2. **Global Growth Concerns**: There is a significant concern regarding a potential global growth slowdown, which could impact the short USD thesis [3][25]. 3. **US Exceptionalism**: The fading of US exceptionalism is a recurring theme, with expectations that both US equities and the USD may decline [1][32][33]. 4. **Investor Sentiment**: A strong majority of respondents expect the next Federal Reserve (Fed) chair to be more dovish, impacting market expectations [44][46]. 5. **FX Hedge Ratios**: Many investors prefer to increase their FX hedge ratios, indicating a cautious approach towards US assets [49][50]. Additional Insights 1. **Emerging Markets (EM) Sentiment**: EM FX and duration sentiment appears to have peaked, with a slight decline in positioning and views noted in August [15][94]. 2. **European Investment Push**: There is muted conviction regarding a broad-based European investment push, with concerns about EU defense spending and fiscal policies [22][61]. 3. **Tariff Expectations**: Most respondents expect tariffs against China to remain between 30-40% by the end of 2025, reflecting ongoing trade tensions [17][34]. 4. **Oil Price Expectations**: Expectations for oil prices are that they will remain range-bound between $60-69 per barrel, with some upside risks anticipated [36][37]. 5. **UK and Eurozone Sentiment**: GBP sentiment has turned neutral with bearish levels, while EUR sentiment remains bullish despite lighter positioning [110][103]. Potential Risks and Opportunities 1. **Fed Independence Risks**: Nearly half of the respondents expect risks to Fed independence to manifest as a steeper US Treasury (UST) curve and a weaker USD [46][39]. 2. **Global Risk Appetite**: The appetite for risk-taking in portfolios remains lower than normal, with average cash levels reported at 3.3% [77][78]. 3. **Duration Exposure**: Global duration exposure has fallen relative to the previous month, indicating a cautious stance among investors [78][80]. Conclusion The survey indicates a complex landscape for FX and rates, with significant concerns about global growth, US fiscal policy, and the evolving dynamics of the Fed. Investors are adjusting their strategies accordingly, with a notable shift towards hedging and cautious positioning in the face of potential risks.

Fed Policy & Market Impact - The market reacts best when the Fed reacts appropriately to economic data, balancing economic risks with potential inflation acceleration from tariffs [5] - The market anticipates the Fed to cut rates, but the bond market's reaction could impact the Fed's decision [3][4] - There's uncertainty about whether the Fed will implement a strong 50 basis point cut due to the uncertain impact of tariffs [7] Economic Weakening - The economy is showing signs of weakening, including revisions to payrolls, weak construction spending, and corporate bankruptcies at a 10-year high in June [6] - Challenger layoff reports indicate economic concerns [6] Market Vulnerability & Risk Appetite - The market is vulnerable due to built-up froth and high risk appetite [7] - A Bank of America fund manager survey in July showed the fastest move up in three-month risk appetite since the early 2000s, reaching a five-month high [8] - Cash levels into July are low, suggesting built-in bullishness in a weakening economy expecting a Fed bailout [9] Investment Strategy - A more defensive posture is recommended, paying attention to valuation as highly valued stocks are being punished on slight misses [10][11] - Investors should look for less expensive stocks, selectively in defensive and cyclical sectors that could benefit from an economic recovery if the Fed stabilizes things [11][12]

So, for more on all this, let's bring in Jason Ferman. He's a professor at Harvard's Kennedy School and a former CEA chairman himself. Jason, it's terrific to see you on this Friday.Uh, you're you're a former Obama guy, so I think our audience is going to expect that you're going to throw rocks here at Myron. So, let's start with something other than rock throwing for a second. Uh, let's start with the, you know, the most positive thing you can think of about this Myron pick.>> Uh, I don't know if it's the ...

Joining us right now, former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. He's currently a partner at Solomare Capital and vice chairman at Teneo. And it's good to see you, sir.Morning. Uh I'm curious what you make of the dialogue here as it relates to both the tariff issue and the Fed issue. We have so many former Treasury Secretaries.Everybody's trying to figure out what's really going on. Everyone's a little worried about whether the numbers are even going to be real in the future. What do you think.Well, I think we' ...

President Trump reiterated his criticism of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, said he was close to picking a new Fed chair, and teased new tariffs on semiconductors. Joining me now, Muhammad Alerian, president of Queens College of Cambridge to talk about that and many other things. Muhammad, good to see you.Good morning, Julie. I would like to start with this whole situation over the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the BLS. Um, with President Trump's removal of the person who heads up that agency, what does that ...

What's your reaction to Governor Coogler's decision here and how concerned are you about who might replace him. I've just seen the headlines, so I am I am learning information real time, whether this was a personal choice or whether there was a feeling of a political pressure. And I'm almost, you know, hesitant to even even weigh in because I don't have the information.Anything, though, that I just as a as a overarching point, anything that makes this fed more political, that robs it of its independence is ...

CNBC’s Leslie Picker with JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, join 'Money Movers' to discuss his branch strategy, the economy, his meetings with the president and Trump's comments about Fed Chair Powell. ...