Quote from Ivanovich:
Yes it was. I sure as hell don't know if there's going to be a cut or not. I know what the futures say, but that's the market speaking. Doesn't mean it's what will happen.
I don't think the Fed should cut, but what I think is irrelevant. It sure sounded, however, that the Fed speakers this week, and Bernanke today also don't think they should cut. They keep saying the Fed rate is not designed to correct market imbalances.
What it sounds like to me is they're moving away from the "Greenspan Put". And the market is used to the put.
Therein is where I think the divergence is.
You're a bright guy who I usually agree with but your missing a few relevant points.
1. Fed Funds have been trading below their 5.25 target for weeks. Hence there's already been an unannounced de facto cut of at least 25 basis points.
2. For years global government credit markets have been at historically low yields. With all the ballyhoo about rates collapsing in this new "credit crunch" environment, the 2 year hasn't even rallied .3815 to it's 2003 low yield. The moving average of Bond yields this millennium is only 4.75%.
Even ABSENT the market events of late, we'd be looking at a cut. I agree it sux. I've been short Bonds for 3pts now and I'm getting absolutely annihilated. Bonds are the strongest in relation to equities in years.
- well he is an academic after all.