Monetary Policy Decisions - The Federal Reserve announced a 25 basis point rate cut on October 29, 2025, aligning with market expectations[5] - The decision to end quantitative tightening (QT) on December 1, 2025, was also in response to market pressures[9] Internal Disagreements - A notable division within the Federal Reserve was highlighted, with 12 voting members: 10 supported a 25 basis point cut, one (Milan) advocated for a 50 basis point cut, and one (Schmidt) opposed any cut[8] - The divergence indicates increasing internal disagreements regarding economic data and future rate adjustments[8] Economic Indicators - Employment appears stable, with the Fed's language shifting from a focus on slowing to a more stable outlook[9] - Inflation remains relatively high compared to earlier in the year, with the Fed acknowledging ongoing pressures[9] Market Reactions - Following the announcement, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield surged above 4.05%, reflecting a hawkish market interpretation[11] - The U.S. dollar index briefly exceeded 99.3 before retreating, indicating volatility in response to the Fed's statements[11] Consumer Confidence - The University of Michigan's consumer confidence index continued to decline in October, reflecting growing uncertainty in the U.S. economy[18] - Factors contributing to this decline include perceived job market cooling and fluctuating inflation expectations[18] Future Outlook - The outlook for further rate cuts has weakened, with market expectations for a December cut now at approximately 67% probability[18] - The market may shift focus back to geopolitical risks and corporate earnings as consumer confidence wanes[18] Risk Factors - Potential risks include unexpected rebounds in overseas inflation, weaker global economic conditions, and escalated geopolitical tensions[26]

Core Points - The Federal Reserve's reserve balance has decreased for seven consecutive weeks, falling below $3 trillion, raising concerns about liquidity tightening in the market [1][2] - The decline in reserves is attributed to the Fed's quantitative tightening (QT) and the U.S. Treasury's large-scale debt issuance, leading to a continuous loss of liquidity in the financial system [2] - The effective federal funds rate has slightly increased, indicating a tightening financial environment, despite the Fed's assertion that reserves are still at "ample" levels [1][3] Group 1: Liquidity Concerns - The U.S. banking system's reserves have dropped by approximately $21 billion to $2.9997 trillion, marking the lowest level since January 1 of this year [1] - The combination of QT and increased debt issuance by the Treasury is causing liquidity to be drained from the financial system [2] - The pressure of liquidity tightening is increasingly reflected in commercial banks' reserve accounts, with foreign banks experiencing a faster decline in cash assets compared to domestic banks [2] Group 2: Federal Funds Rate Dynamics - The effective federal funds rate rose by one basis point to 4.09%, remaining within the target range of 4% to 4.25% set by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) [3] - The upward trend in the federal funds rate is interpreted as a signal of rising financing costs and a tightening financial environment [3] - The trading volume supporting the federal funds rate has decreased due to reduced surplus funds available for borrowing from non-U.S. institutions [3] Group 3: Federal Reserve's Policy Dilemma - The Federal Reserve is facing a challenging decision as liquidity tightening signs become more apparent [4] - There is a discussion regarding the effectiveness of the Fed's monetary policy framework, with suggestions to consider alternative benchmarks for policy implementation [4][5] - The Dallas Fed President has indicated that the reliance on the federal funds rate may be outdated, advocating for a shift towards a more active overnight rate linked to the U.S. Treasury secured lending market [4]

Core Viewpoint - The main theme of global asset allocation in the post-pandemic era is the "American exceptionalism," characterized by a lack of significant financial tightening despite the highest interest rate hike cycle since the 1970s, leading to questions about the real impact of these rate hikes on the economy and corporate operations [1][2]. Summary by Sections Resident Sector - The ratio of mortgage payments to disposable income is currently at 11.3%, lower than the 11.7% level at the end of 2019, indicating strong consumer spending from 2022 to 2024 [2]. Corporate Sector - The credit spread of corporate bonds has been declining since the second half of 2022, remaining at historical lows, which facilitates easy corporate financing. Profit growth has accelerated compared to pre-pandemic levels, and debt repayment metrics have improved [2][3]. Liquidity Environment - The liquidity premium in the U.S. has not reached extreme levels, indicating a generally loose liquidity environment. A significant risk event occurred in March 2023 with the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) incident, but it was quickly addressed by the FDIC [2][3]. Debt Maturity Challenges - A significant issue arises as corporate bonds issued in 2020 will mature in large volumes by 2025, forcing companies to either refinance at higher costs or use cash reserves, which may lead to reduced capital expenditures [4][5]. Upcoming Liquidity Tightening - The second quarter of 2025 will see a historical peak in corporate debt maturities, with over $600 billion due, representing a 70% increase compared to the average for the second half of 2024. The average financing cost for these debts is estimated at 3.6%, while refinancing could increase costs by 190 basis points [5][6]. Potential Credit Spread Increase - The current liquidity environment is relatively fragile, and if it coincides with the debt maturity peak, there is a risk of a rapid increase in credit spreads. Historical data suggests that peaks in corporate bond spreads typically lag the last rate hike by about 24 months [6][7]. Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet Reduction - The liquidity buffer provided by the Federal Reserve's overnight reverse repurchase agreements (ONRRP) has significantly decreased, and the ongoing balance sheet reduction (QT) has led to a noticeable reduction in excess reserves within the banking system [7][8]. Debt Ceiling and Liquidity Risks - The approval of a new debt ceiling bill around mid-year could lead to a temporary tightening of liquidity. The U.S. Treasury has already utilized 70% of its "extraordinary measures" to maintain government operations, with a potential liquidity crunch expected around the "X-date" in June [8][9]. Market Expectations on QT - There are differing expectations in the market regarding the timing of the end of QT, with some Federal Reserve officials suggesting a pause until the debt ceiling issue is resolved. Delays in ending QT could further pressure liquidity [9]. Overall Market Outlook - The risk of tightening liquidity in the second quarter cannot be ignored, and U.S. equities may face another round of adjustments. Recent liquidity crises, such as the SVB incident, have shown that market reactions can be swift and significant [9].