Market anticipations have risen regarding global central banks adjusting their monetary strategies by potentially reducing interest rates this year. The Federal Reserve, European Central Bank (ECB), and Bank of England (BOE) are expected to spearhead the movement, responding to diminishing inflationary pressures. However, Japan, particularly the Bank of Japan (BOJ), might stand out as it contemplates exiting negative interest rates and implementing a more restrictive monetary policy.
In its December dot plot of interest rate expectations, the Fed indicated a potential decrease of -75 basis points (bp) this year from the current fed funds target range of 5.25%-5.50%. Nevertheless, market expectations surpass Fed projections, with the swaps market predicting a 150 bp rate cut throughout the year. The initial 25 bp reduction is anticipated at the April 30-May 1 FOMC meeting. Despite this, Fed Chair Powell, during the last month’s FOMC meeting, emphasized a cautious approach to easing policy, indicating the Fed’s reluctance to hastily reduce interest rates and underscoring the premature nature of declaring victory against inflation.
The ECB is also projected to commence interest rate cuts in 2024, with the swaps market indicating a 100% likelihood of a -25 bp rate cut at its April 11 policy meeting. Market expectations suggest a total reduction of -75 bp in the ECB’s deposit rate from the current 4.00% to 3.25% this year. Despite a greater-than-expected decline in inflation, ECB officials have refrained from endorsing market expectations of interest rate cuts, expressing concerns about escalating wage costs in the Eurozone. However, a further slowdown in economic activity and increased price pressures in the Eurozone could prompt the ECB to lower borrowing costs ahead of schedule.
The BOE is also anticipated to adopt a more accommodative monetary policy this year. Market pricing indicates expectations of five -25 bp rate cuts from the BOE in 2024, aiming to decrease the base rate from the current 5.25% to 4.00%, with the initiative beginning at the June 20 policy meeting. Despite recent remarks from BOE Governor Bailey suggesting that it is premature to consider a policy pivot, the BOE might act to cut interest rates as early as its May 9 meeting if price pressures continue to decelerate. The BOE is likely to revise down its inflation forecasts during its next meeting on Feb 1, following lower-than-expected inflation news in November.
Japan, maintaining negative interest rates, is contemplating when, rather than if, it will end this policy. BOJ Governor Ueda emphasized the need for incoming data to assess inflation trend stability before considering changes in monetary policy. However, the recent New Year’s Day earthquake in Japan may impede economic activity, potentially delaying the BOJ’s tightening of monetary policy. The markets await clear signals from wages and inflation data to convince the BOJ that its 2% inflation target is secure before initiating any tightening measures.
Some analysts and economists express concerns that the current pace of slowing global price pressures might not be swift or profound enough to prompt central banks to commence interest rate cuts. Consumer prices remain well above the 2% targets of the Fed, ECB, and BOE, potentially encouraging them to maintain tighter monetary policies for an extended duration. Additionally, tight labor markets worldwide could exert upward pressure on wages, escalating labor costs and potentially leading central banks to postpone any policy easing. However, if inflation continues its deceleration, the pressure on central banks to initiate interest rate cuts this year is expected to intensify.
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Author Faith Yakubu