J P M O R G A N North America Economic Research 30 January 2026 First thoughts on Chair Warsh After a very lengthy and public search, this morning the president finally nominated Kevin Warsh to be the next Fed chair. As a Fed governor from 2006 to 2011, Warsh often leaned hawkish, particularly in the years after the GFC. Recently, however, his remarks have leaned more dovish, which happens to align with the administration's monetary policy preferences. So the first set of questions that the Warsh nomination ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the **US money market fund (MMF)** industry, highlighting its assets under management (AUM) which recently surpassed **$8 trillion** for the first time, reaching **$8.053 trillion** as of December 4, 2025 [9][6][32]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Defiance of Misconceptions**: Contrary to the belief that Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts would lead to mass outflows from MMFs, the industry has seen **$1.42 trillion** in inflows since the current easing cycle began on September 18, 2024 [9][6]. - **Forecast for Growth**: AUM is expected to exceed **$8.6 trillion** by the end of 2026, driven by an estimated **$500 billion** in inflows [32][6]. - **Investor Allocations**: Allocations to MMFs are not extreme and are likely to rise, especially when compared to other asset classes like stocks and corporate bonds [6][12]. - **Institutional vs. Retail Inflows**: Institutional funds have driven the recent AUM highs, accounting for **64%** of total inflows this year, while retail funds accounted for **34%** [12][19]. - **Yield Dynamics**: MMF yields are expected to remain attractive, with forecasts suggesting they will stay above **3.00%** in 2026, which is historically significant [23][28]. Additional Important Insights - **Income Generation**: The income generated by MMFs is projected to be **$275 billion** over the prior 12 months by the end of 2026, with a high reinvestment rate expected [33]. - **Relative Attractiveness**: MMFs have maintained a yield differential of approximately **175 basis points** over bank certificates of deposits (CDs), making them a preferred cash alternative [46]. - **Market Sensitivity**: MMF AUM is sensitive to yields on short-dated bills, with recent declines in 3-month T-bill yields coinciding with increases in MMF AUM [49]. - **Regulatory Environment**: The symposium discussed regulatory challenges affecting money market conditions, including the Fed's balance sheet management and its implications for market dynamics [74][94]. Conclusion - The US MMF industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by strong inflows and attractive yields, despite prevailing misconceptions about the impact of Fed rate cuts. The outlook for 2026 remains positive, with expectations of continued inflows and a stable yield environment.