LPL Financial Market Signals Podcast

Shifting to Central Bank Policy l LPL Market Signals Podcast

LPL Research

We’re seeing a global shift toward central bank policy as the U.S. Federal Reserve and European Central Bank both cut rates last week. LPL Research strategists discuss the implications for the Fed, global markets, and the U.S. dollar.

Subscribe to the Market Signals podcast series on iTunesGoogle PlaySpotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Markets took several punches last week, but they have not gone to the mat as stocks fell only modestly and remained within shouting distance of record levels.

The Punches

Investors woke up Monday, September 16, to news of the attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities and surging crude futures prices. Economic data from China showed weaker than expected activity in August. The Federal Reserve (Fed) had to intervene and relieve short-term funding pressures in the U.S. money markets. And, at the conclusion of its monetary policy meeting, the Fed lowered its target for the federal funds rate by 0.25%, to a range of 1.75–2%, a move that pleased some investors and disappointed others.

Fixed income markets responded well to the expected rate cut by the Fed and saw gains across the board, even as the Fed provided less conviction in its plans for additional rate cuts than markets may have anticipated. Oil prices soared after the attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities.

Shifting Policy

After a decade of easy money, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provided incentives for investment, and in 2018, the regulatory environment had eased and additional government spending programs further boosted demand. In fact, in our 2018 Outlook: The Return of the Business Cycle, we highlighted the return of fiscal leadership as a primary driver for economic and market activity. The improved growth environment led to a tighter monetary stance from the Fed in 2018, even as the contentious trade environment diminished business investment.

Fast forward to today, and the U.S.-China trade confrontation persists. The fiscal tailwinds of taxes, regulation, and spending have been no match for trade headwinds. The result: A return of central bank dominance, highlighted by the Fed, which lowered interest rates again last week.

The Fed is not alone, as the trade environment has weighed on global growth, prompting the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan, and the People’s Bank of China all to take accommodative actions in recent weeks.

The European Central Bank has joined central banks around the world in cutting interest rates in response to slowing global growth caused by the U.S.-China trade conflict. The Bank of Japan indicated it will review its assessment of its economy and inflation next month, sparking speculation that more easing measures may be forthcoming.

Tune In Now

Listen to the entire podcast to get the LPL strategists’ views and insights on current market trends in the US and global economies. To listen to previous podcasts go to Market Signals podcast. You can subscribe to Market Signals on iTunesGoogle Play, or Spotify.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual security. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted.

All indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.

Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee return or eliminate risk in all market environments.

This research material has been prepared by LPL Financial LLC.

To the extent you are receiving investment advice from a separately registered independent investment advisor, please note that LPL Financial LLC is not an affiliate of and makes no representation with respect to such entity.

The investment products sold through LPL Financial are not insured deposits and are not FDIC/NCUA insured. These products are not bank/credit union obligations and are not endorsed, recommended or guaranteed by any bank/credit union or any government agency. The value of the investment may fluctuate, the return on the investment is not guaranteed, and loss of principal is possible.

Member FINRA/SIPC

For Public Use — Tracking #: 1-896787