Previewing this week's upcoming key macroeconomic events, analysts at BBH noted that the minutes of the Federal Reserve's December policy meeting will be very important.
"At the December meeting, the Fed downshifted to 50 bp hike. However, Chair Powell delivered a very hawkish message at his press conference and so the minutes should help fill in the picture. We continue to believe markets are underestimating the Fed. WIRP suggests a 25 bp hike February 1 is fully priced in, with over 30% odds of a larger 50 bp move. Another 25 bp hike March 22 is fully priced in, with nearly 50% odds of one last 25 bp hike in Q2 that would take the Fed Funds rate ceiling up to 5.25%. However, the swaps market continues to price in an easing cycle by year-end and we just don’t see that happening. Barkin speaks Friday."
"There is a potential dovish shift on the FOMC this year. Goolsbee, Harker, Logan, and Kashkari are now voting members of the FOMC. Harker and Logan are considered centrists, Kashkari has transformed into a hawk, and Goolsbee is an unknown quantity. While we hesitate to call these new voters dovish, they replace a group of noted hawks made up of Bullard, Mester, George, and Collins, who become non-voters in 2023. All seven members of the Board of Governors and Williams (New York Fed is a permanent voter) will remain voters this year."