• Jul 31, 2024

Traders boost bets Fed goes big on Sept rate cut

But as Powell during his post-meeting news conference repeatedly said the central bank has room to respond if the labor market unexpectedly weakens, markets began a turn. Rate futures prices now reflect about a 17% chance of a 50-basis point rate cut in September, versus about 5% before Powell began speaking. Prices also reflect increased confidence the Fed will cut a total of 75 basis points over its final three meetings of the year, most likely in 25-basis-point increments, bringing the policy rate down to a 4.5%-4.75% range.