Stocks Information January 28, 2025 4

Fed Rate Cuts and the Global Economy

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In a dramatic turn of events that is shaping the global economic landscape, the Federal Reserve of the United States has recently cut interest rates for the second time since September 2023. This reduction totals a significant 75 basis points, bringing the interest rate down to a range of 4.5% to 4.75%. The implications of this monetary policy change are far-reaching, potentially signaling the dawn of an era characterized by expansive liquidity in the markets, which could, in turn, offer ripe opportunities for countries like China looking to capitalize on these shifts.

However, this decision from the Fed comes with its own set of complexitiesNotably absent from the latest statement was the Fed's previous assurance of having "confidence in bringing inflation back to 2%." The current economic environment has yet to stabilize, with inflation rates showing signs of resurgence

The Fed is walking a tightrope, reluctant to implement aggressive rate cuts for fear that doing so could trigger a spiraling inflation crisis.

A key factor amplifying inflationary pressures in the U.Sis the government's trio of policies—tariffs, tax cuts, and stringent immigration reformsWhen tariffs are imposed, foreign goods become more expensive, leading American consumers to spend more, thus driving prices upwardCritics argue that domestic alternatives could alleviate the problem; however, the reality is that American products often carry far higher production costs compared to their foreign counterparts.

Further complicating matters is the drive for drastic tax cutsFormer President Trump's ambition to reduce corporate tax rates to an eye-catching 15% sounds appealing, but it comes with dire consequences for federal deficits

Reports indicate that tax cuts tend to favor the wealthy disproportionately—data from 2018 reveals the after-tax income of the affluent rose by 2.3%, while middle and lower-income earners saw only a 1.7% increaseThis disparity exacerbates socioeconomic inequalities, enriching the elite while leaving lower-income populations increasingly vulnerable.

Coupled with tax cuts, a projected annual loss of $600 billion in federal revenue forces the government to resort to borrowing, which subsequently fuels inflation as the money supply expands uncheckedMoreover, immigration policies designed to suppress illegal immigration eliminate the flow of cheaper labor, causing businesses to turn to American workers who demand higher wages, and consequently raising consumer goods prices.

The U.Sappears to be on a fast track toward intensifying inflation, with estimates suggesting that the average American household may need to spend an additional $4,000 per year

Given the existing financial constraints many families face, this development could spell even greater economic distress.

During recent press conferences, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has been placed in a challenging position, grappling with the dual pressures of soaring inflation that limits the room for interest rate cuts, and the simultaneous need to lower rates to stimulate economic activityWith fiscal revenues dwindling due to tax reductions, the question arises—where will the money come from? The likely answer: issuing more debt, which necessitates maintaining low-interest ratesThe logic at play here is convoluted to say the least.

Although the sentiment may be voiced that U.Sinflation concerns are not directly relevant to the Chinese populace, this viewpoint would be overly simplisticAs the world's preeminent economy, fluctuations within the U.S

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invariably reverberate throughout the global financial system, affecting economies worldwide, including China’s.

The recent rate cuts by the Federal Reserve clearly indicate the onset of a period of monetary easingThough Powell has not committed to further cuts in December, it seems likely that the trend will continue through the end of this year and into mid-2024. This scenario presents a clear advantage for China's monetary policies, potentially heralding a wave of capital influx.

Interestingly, during the former president's election victory, the renminbi experienced a sharp decline—signaling market anxieties—but has since rebounded due to positive economic newsThis rebound indicates a potential favorable outlook for China amidst these changing financial tides.

Should the U.S

government escalate tariffs by as much as 60%, the renminbi's exchange rate could experience significant volatilityHowever, the Federal Reserve's decision to cut rates might encourage foreign capital to return to China as the nuanced landscape of investments shiftsChinese companies harbor about $2 trillion in net assets overseas, a substantial factor that could entice this capital back home.

Consider the previous situation where U.Sdollar interest rates hovered above 5%, compared to the roughly 1% interest on Chinese yuan depositsSuch disparities led investors to prefer opening bank accounts in Hong Kong for USD deposits, while foreign trade businesses opted to hold on to their dollar earnings to benefit from higher interest rates in U.SbanksConsequently, funds flowed out of China, leaving domestic citizens more hesitant to spend.

Now, with the Federal Reserve's recent rate cut decreasing the attractiveness of dollar deposits, it may be time for those investors to reconsider their positions and exchange their dollars back for renminbi

Analysts predict a significant influx of capital returning to China as a result.

History shows that after prior rate cuts, foreign capital frequently sought refuge in Chinese markets, creating bullish sentiments in equity markets such as the A-SharesHowever, attempts to curb this enthusiasm by suggesting potential pauses in rate cuts failed to materialize as the Fed ultimately resumed their downward trajectory.

Some may still express confusionEven with the Fed reducing rates, U.Sdeposit rates remain around 4%, making it seemingly favorable for investors to stay putThe shift in logic, however, suggests that along with lower interest rates, the currency discrepancy between the U.Sand China is narrowing, thus complicating investment strategiesMany individuals have profited by holding onto dollars, but as the dollar loses value, potential gains from currency conversion diminish.

A simplified example illustrates this shift: Imagine an investor dials in with 7.3 million renminbi, which converts to 1 million USD invested in a U.S

bank at a 5% interest rate over a year, inflating to 1.05 million USDHowever, when considering currency fluctuations, exchanging back to renminbi may yield only 7.44 million, where yields of around 1.9% hardly outweigh local savingsFactor in the current dynamics, and it becomes clear that reversing back to renminbi might offer more financial wisdom than previously believed.

The ongoing trend of de-dollarization is transcending beyond mere speculation, with venerable investors like Warren Buffett reallocating their portfolios to seek opportunities in other economies, such as Japan.

During an era of heightened interest rates, global economies have shown signs of strain, and with the Fed's recent pivot, central banks in the UK, Sweden, and possibly the European Central Bank are also contemplating rate decreasesWe find ourselves on the brink of widespread quantitative easing as nations strive to reverse economic stagnation in hopes of attracting more investment.

While worldwide monetary expansion is imminent, the allure of the Chinese market remains unmatched

Since the onset of the pandemic, China has maintained the most stable economic environmentTherefore, the case for China not falling behind in this global easing movement is clear, especially with 10 trillion yuan in fiscal stimuli already announced, which could likely result in an estimated $1 trillion returning to its shoresSuch a financial resurgence would bolster both the stock and housing markets within China.

It's worth noting that these stimulus funds are primarily directed toward alleviating debts, providing timely relief for economically distressed regionsBy relieving local governments of fiscal burdens, development opportunities can ariseAs outstanding debts dissolve, companies may stabilize their accounts, enabling payrolls and elevating consumer spending, thereby energizing overall economic activity.

As the economy improves with increased capital inflows, the internationalization of the renminbi becomes increasingly viable, positioning China in a position of strength while leaving the U.S

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