Will the Fed Cut Interest Rates in December? Expert Says, “It Won’t Be as Expected”

Societe Generale interest rate strategist Subadra Rajappa said market participants' expectations of a Fed rate cut are unrealistic.

According to Rajappa, markets are still pricing in too much easing in monetary policy, despite Fed Chair Jerome Powell making it clear in December that a rate cut was not a certainty.

Rajappa argued that the Fed took the last two interest rate cuts as preemptive steps in anticipation of a possible weakening in the labor market, but that there was limited room left for further action.

Rajappa noted that the economy remains relatively strong, but that the inflation outlook remains stubborn. According to the analyst, this is the main message Powell is trying to convey in his recent remarks: The Fed will not act hastily and will maintain a cautious stance against persistent inflation.

On the other hand, Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf shared his views on the Fed's monetary policy, the necessity of interest rate cuts, and economic risks in his speech at The Economic Club of New York.

Scharf praised Fed Chair Jerome Powell's transparent communication, while characterizing potential interest rate cuts as economic “risk management.”

Scharf began his remarks by describing the Fed Chair's role as “ungrateful.” He noted that the assumption that decisions could have different outcomes always creates an environment open to criticism.

However, Scharf considered the way Fed Chair Powell described the situation “as clear as it could be.”

Addressing the further interest rate cuts the market is expecting this year, Scharf argued that risk management lies at the heart of this decision:

Risk of Backsliding: “Once you fall behind on some of these risks—lower growth and higher inflation—that would be a really bad outcome and hard to recover from,” Scharf said.

Protecting the Downside: Scharf noted that there is “no risk-free answer” to whether or not to cut interest rates, saying the current balance is more focused on “protecting the downside.”

When asked how low interest rates would help jobs lost due to AI, Scharf noted that low rates generally benefit consumers. He argued that interest rates are especially important for the most struggling demographics.