Core Insights - Barclays strategists anticipate that the Federal Reserve will begin purchasing Treasury securities in February 2024, following indications from key Fed officials about expanding the balance sheet [1] - The expected pace of purchases is projected to be $15 billion per month, starting from March 2024, with an announcement likely in the January meeting [1] - The purchases are aimed at maintaining reserve levels in line with economic growth, rather than indicating a shift in monetary policy stance [1] Summary by Categories Federal Reserve Actions - Federal Reserve is expected to start buying Treasury securities in February 2024 [1] - The anticipated purchase rate is $15 billion per month [1] Market Context - The Fed is currently in a risk management mode due to market concerns regarding repo rates [1] - Recent comments from New York Fed President John Williams and securities portfolio officials suggest a focus on aligning reserves with economic growth [1]

Core Points - The Federal Reserve may soon need to expand its balance sheet through asset purchases to meet liquidity demands in the banking system [1][2] - The Fed has officially ended its three-year balance sheet reduction process, which began in 2022, reversing the large-scale asset purchases made during the pandemic [2] - The current balance sheet level is stabilized at approximately $6.6 trillion, following signals that the balance sheet reduction has been sufficient [2] Group 1 - Williams indicated that the Fed will begin a gradual asset purchase process when bank reserves drop from "slightly above adequate" to "adequate" levels [1] - Analysts expect the Fed may start expanding its holdings through asset purchases in the first quarter of next year [1] - Williams emphasized that purchasing bonds for maintaining adequate liquidity is a natural extension of the adequate reserves strategy and does not indicate a change in monetary policy stance [1] Group 2 - Williams is closely monitoring various market indicators related to the federal funds market, repo market, and payments to assess reserve demand [3] - He noted that determining when the Fed reaches the necessary reserve levels to inject funds into the system is quite challenging [3] - Recent pressures in the repo market and signs of reserves moving from "ample" to "adequate" suggest that reaching adequate reserve levels may not be far off [3]