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CNBC Fed Survey July 28, 2015 Page 1 of 33
FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
These survey results represent the opinions of 35 of the nations
top money managers, investment strategists, and professional
economists. They responded to CNBCs invitation to participate in
our online survey. Their responses were collected
on July 23-24, 2015. Participants were not required to answer
every question. Results are also shown for identical questions in
earlier surveys.
This is not intended to be a scientific poll and its results
should not be extrapolated beyond those who did accept our
invitation.
1. Will the Federal Reserve raise the federal funds rate in
2015?
84%
11%
5%
92%
5% 3%
82%
15%
3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Yes No Don't know/unsure
Apr 28 Jun 16 Jul 28
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
2. If the Fed does not hike this year, which two factors from
the following list do you believe will most likely be the
reason?
59%
47%
32% 32%
12%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Declininginflation
Weak USeconomicgrowth
Weak overseasgrowth
Weak payrollgrowth
Concern overmarket reaction
to a hike
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
3. Relative to an economy operating at full capacity, what best
describes your view of the amount of resource slack in the U.S.
right now for labor?
July 29August
20Sep 16 Oct 28 Dec 16 Jan 27 Mar 17 Apr 28 Jun 16 Jul 28
Considerably more slack now 48% 34% 20% 18% 16% 16% 13% 6% 5%
12%
Modestly more slack now 36% 40% 60% 69% 55% 50% 63% 64% 54%
47%
No difference 4% 6% 3% 0% 0% 6% 11% 0% 15% 9%
Modestly less slack now 8% 11% 6% 5% 24% 19% 11% 22% 15% 24%
Considerably less slack now 4% 9% 9% 8% 5% 9% 3% 8% 10% 9%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Modestly less slack
Modestly more slack
Considerably less slack
No difference
Considerably more slack
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
Relative to an economy operating at full capacity, what best
describes your view of the amount of resource slack in the U.S.
right now for production capacity?
July 29August
20Sep 16 Oct 28 Dec 16 Jan 27 Mar 17 Apr 28 Jun 16 Jul 28
Considerably more slack now 12% 9% 8% 8% 8% 0% 14% 8% 10%
21%
Modestly more slack now 56% 60% 64% 64% 55% 59% 57% 57% 62%
38%
No difference 8% 14% 8% 15% 13% 19% 14% 5% 8% 15%
Modestly less slack now 16% 9% 14% 8% 24% 13% 11% 19% 13%
21%
Considerably less slack now 4% 9% 3% 5% 0% 9% 5% 11% 8% 6%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
No difference
Modestly more slack
Modestly less slack
Considerably less slack
Considerably more slack
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
4. What is your measure of full employment in the U.S.?
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Unemployment rate
Apr 28 Jun 16 Jul 28
Averages:
Apr 28: 4.8%
Jun 16: 4.8%
Jul 28: 4.7%
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
5. In July, will the Fed alter its statement to signal a rate
hike is nearing?
34%
63%
3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Yes No Don't know/unsure
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
6. At what level of year-over-year wage growth would you become
concerned that inflationary pressures are building?
14% chose Theres little connection between wages and overall
price inflation.
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7%
Wage growth
Jun 16 Jul 28
Averages:
Jun 16: 3.6%
Jul 28: 3.5%
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
7. At the current level of wage growth, are you ...?
10%
5%
62%
21%
3%
6%
9%
65%
21%
0% 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Concernedabout inflation
Concernedabout deflation
Believe therisks areneutral
Theres little connection
between wages and overall
price inflation
Don'tknow/unsure
Jun 16 Jul 28
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
8. What is the minimum rate of average monthly payroll growth
that you believe the Fed will require to:
0%
3%
0%
6%
29%
44%
6%
9%
3%
0%
3%
6%
12%
18%
32%
18%
9%
3%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
Less than 100K
100K to 125K
125K to 150K
150K to 175K
175K to 200K
200K to 225K
225K to 250K
More than 250K
Don't know/unsure
Hike rates initially Enact subsequent hikes
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
9. Where do you expect the S&P 500 stock index will be on
?
2075
2149
2111
2194 2187
2128
2156 2159 2135
2311 2296
2247
2259
2293
2254
1,800
1,900
2,000
2,100
2,200
2,300
2,400
Jul 29 Sep 16 Oct 28 Dec 16 Jan 27
'15
Mar 17 Apr 282 Jun 16 Jul 28
Survey Dates
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
10. What do you expect the yield on the 10-year Treasury note
will be on ?
3.43% 3.45%
3.19%
2.96%
2.54%
2.57%
2.33%
2.64%
2.62%
3.52%
3.04%
3.14%
2.89%
3.24% 3.17%
2.0%
2.5%
3.0%
3.5%
4.0%
Jul 29 Sep 16 Oct 28 Dec 16 Jan 27'15
Mar 17 April 28 Jul 16 Jul 28
Survey Dates
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
11. What is your forecast for the year-over-year percentage
change in real U.S. GDP for ?
Jan
28, '14Mar 18 Apr 28 Jun 4 Jul 29 Sep 16 Oct 28 Dec 16
Jan
27, '15Mar 17
April
28Jun 16 Jul 28
2015 +2.90 +3.02 +3.00 +2.81 +2.75 +2.90 +2.90 +3.02 +2.99 +2.69
+2.70 +2.25 2.41%
2016 +2.88 +2.80 +2.84 +2.81 +2.78 2.70%
+2.90%
+3.02% +3.00%
+2.81%
+2.75%
+2.90% +2.90%
+3.02% +2.99%
+2.69% +2.70%
+2.25%
2.41%
+2.88%
+2.80%
+2.84% +2.81%
+2.78%
2.70%
2.0%
2.2%
2.4%
2.6%
2.8%
3.0%
3.2%
3.4%
2015 2016
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
12. What is your forecast for the year-over-year percentage
change in the headline U.S. CPI for ?
2.02%
2.29% 2.27%
2.01%
1.74%
1.17%
1.01% 1.00%
1.17%
1.10%
2.17%
2.07%
2.08%
1.96%
2.29%
2.17%
0.8%
1.0%
1.2%
1.4%
1.6%
1.8%
2.0%
2.2%
2.4%
Jun 4 Jul 29 Sep 16 Oct 28 Dec 16 Jan 27,'15
Mar 17 April 28 Jun 16 Jul 28
Survey Dates
2015 2016
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
13. According to fed fund futures trading at the CME the
probability of a rate hike in September is 38 percent. What rate
hike probability do you believe is too low for the Fed to
actually hike rates?
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Rate hike probability
59% responded
"None. The Fed won't consider
this factor"
Average for numerical responses:
31.4%
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
14. When do you expect the Fed to hike the fed funds rate and
allow its balance sheet to decline?
Survey Date Fed Funds Hike
Average Forecast
Balance Sheet
Average Forecast
April 28, 2014 survey July 2015 October 2015
June 4 survey August 2015 March 2016
July 29 survey August 2015 December 2015
August 20 survey July 2015 Not asked
September 16 survey June 2015 December 2015
October 28 survey July 2015 January 2016
December 16 survey July 2015 February 2016
Jan. 27, 2015 survey September 2015 April 2016
March 17 survey August 2015 April 2016
April 28 survey October 2015 May 2016
June 16 survey October 2015 July 2016
July 28 survey November 2015 June 2016
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
15. How would you characterize the Fed's current monetary
policy?
28%
49%
46%
49%
44%
39%
50%
54%
50%
60%
43%
43%
49%
43%
49% 50%
47%
32%
44%
35%
47%
17%
6%
3% 3% 3%
6% 5%
3%
6%
13%
3%
3%
6% 5% 6%
3%
8%
6%
3%
0% 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Jul 31,'12
Jul 29,'14
Aug 20 Sep 16 Oct 28 Dec 16 Jan 27,'15
Mar 17 Apr 28 Jun 16 Jul 28
Too accommodative Just right Too restrictive Don't
know/unsure
Too accomodative
Don't know/unsure
Too restrictive
Just right
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
16. Where do you expect the fed funds target rate will be on
?
Jul
30
Sep
17
Oct
29
Dec
17
Jan
28
'14
Mar
18
Apr
28
Jun
4
Jul
29
Aug
20
Sep
16
Oct
28
Dec
16
Jan
27,
'15
Mar
17
April
28
Jun
16
Jul
28
Dec 31, 2015 0.97 0.92 0.82 0.70 0.72 0.83 0.99 0.68 1.05 0.89
0.98 0.89 0.83 0.73 0.71 0.54 0.53 0.47
Dec 31, 2016 1.99 2.13 2.04 1.93 1.75 1.84 1.46 1.56 1.41
0.97% 0.92%
0.82%
0.70% 0.72%
0.83%
0.99%
0.68%
1.05%
0.89%
0.98%
0.89%
0.83%
0.73% 0.71%
0.54% 0.53%
0.47%
1.99%
2.13%
2.04%
1.93%
1.75%
1.84%
1.46%
1.56%
1.41%
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
2.5%
Dec 2016
Dec 2015
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
17. At what fed funds level will the Federal Reserve stop hiking
rates in the current cycle? That is, what will be the terminal
rate?
3.16% 3.20%
3.30%
3.17% 3.11%
3.04%
2.85%
3.06%
2.98%
2.0%
2.5%
3.0%
3.5%
4.0%
Aug 20 Sep 16 Oct 28 Dec 16 Jan 27,
'15
Mar 17 Apr 28 Jun 16 Jul 28
Survey Dates
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
18. When do you believe fed funds will reach its terminal
rate?
Survey Date Forecast
August 20 survey Q4 2017
September 16 survey Q3 2017
October 28 survey Q4 2017
December 16 survey Q1 2018
Jan. 27, 2015 survey Q1 2018
March 17 survey Q4 2017
April 28 survey Q1 2018
June 16 survey Q1 2018
July 28 survey Q2 2018
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
19. What is the percentage chance each of the following
countries will leave the euro zone in the next 3 years? (0%=No
chance of leaving, 100%=Certainty of leaving):
41%
13%
12%
9%
8%
3%
39%
11%
8%
7%
5%
3%
5%
50%
12%
10%
8%
5%
2%
3%
49%
13%
12%
11%
7%
3%
3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Greece
Portugal
Spain
Italy
Ireland
Germany
France
Mar 17 Apr 28 Jun 16 Jul 28
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
20. The recent agreement between Greece and its creditors is
a:
0%
91%
9%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Permanent solution Temporary solution Don't know/unsure
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
21. What effect will the Greece deal have on:
15%
9%
68%
9%
18%
59%
15%
9%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Positive Neutral Negative Don't know/unsure
Greece's economy The eurozone's economy
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
22. Assuming a new agreement is reached, do you believe that
Greece will pass the first review (that is, enact sufficient
economic reforms to satisfy the initial creditor review)?
47%
24%
29%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Yes No Don't know/unsure
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CNBC Fed Survey July 28, 2015 Page 24 of 33
FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
23. Has the U.S. stock market already discounted a fed funds
rate hike by the Federal Reserve this year?
56%
53% 53%
47%
61%
50%
36% 38%
47%
50%
39% 38%
8% 9%
0%
3%
0%
12%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Dec 16 Jan 27 Mar 17 Apr 28 Jun 16 Jul 28
Survey dates
Yes No Don't know/unsure
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CNBC Fed Survey July 28, 2015 Page 25 of 33
FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
Has the U.S. bond market already discounted a fed funds rate
hike by the Federal Reserve this year?
42%
67%
62% 56%
33% 35%
3%
0%
3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Apr 28 Jun 16 Jul 28
Survey dates
Yes No Don't know/unsure
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CNBC Fed Survey July 28, 2015 Page 26 of 33
FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
24. What is the single biggest threat facing the U.S. economic
recovery?
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
European recession/financial crisis
Tax/regulatory policies
Slow job growth
Inflation
Deflation
Debt ceiling
Rise in interest rates
Geopolitical risks
Global economic weakness
Slow wage growth
Other
Don't know/unsure
Europeanrecession/financial
crisis
Tax/regulatory
policies
Slow jobgrowth
InflationDeflationDebt
ceiling
Rise ininterest
rates
Geopolitical risks
Globaleconomicweakness
Slow wagegrowth
OtherDon't
know/unsure
Apr 30 20%31%20%0%2%2%11%0%
Jun 18 15%28%20%3%3%0%13%0%
Jul 30 8%30%22%0%2%2%10%14%4%
Sep 17 4%27%22%2%0%4%18%7%2%
Oct 29 8%29%24%3%3%3%8%13%0%
Dec 17 5%32%29%2%0%2%15%2%2%
Jan 28 '14 7%21%30%2%0%0%12%21%0%
Mar 18 10%23%26%3%5%0%5%18%0%
Apr 28 3%26%21%3%5%0%8%18%13%0%
Jul 29 12%29%12%6%3%0%12%12%12%3%
Sep 16 6%26%29%6%3%0%6%11%11%3%
Oct 28 31%18%15%3%3%0%10%8%8%3%
Dec 16 40%14%14%3%6%0%3%14%3%0%
Jan 27 '15 0%13%9%0%0%0%6%16%41%6%16%0%
Mar 17 6%14%0%3%6%0%6%8%28%17%14%0%
April 28 3%11%8%3%0%0%6%11%28%8%19%3%
Jun 16 3%17%3%0%0%0%14%25%22%6%11%0%
Jul 28 6%21%9%0%0%0%12%6%29%9%9%0%
Apr 30 Jun 18 Jul 30 Sep 17 Oct 29 Dec 17 Jan 28 '14 Mar 18 Apr
28
Jul 29 Sep 16 Oct 28 Dec 16 Jan 27 '15 Mar 17 April 28 Jun 16
Jul 28
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FED SURVEY April 30,
25. In the next 12 months, what percent probability do you place
on the U.S. entering recession? (0%=No chance
of recession, 100%=Certainty of recession)
Aug11,
'11
Sep19
Oct31
Jan23,
'12
Mar16
Apr24
Jul31
Sep12
Dec11
Jan29,
'13
Mar19
Apr30
Jun18
Jul30
Sep6
Oct29
Dec17
Jan28
'14
Mar18
Apr28
Jul29
Sep16
Oct28
Dec16
Jan27
'15
Mar17
April28
Jun16
Jul28
Series1 34.0 36.1 25.5 20.3 19.1 20.6 25.9 26.0 28.5 20.4 17.6
18.2 15.2 16.2 16.9 18.4 17.3 15.3 16.9 14.6 16.2 15.0 15.1 13.6
13.0 16.4 14.7 15.1 17.4
34.0%
36.1%
25.5%
20.3%
19.1%
20.6%
25.9%
26.0%
28.5%
20.4%
17.6%
18.2%
15.2%
16.2% 16.9%
18.4%
17.3%
15.3%
16.9%
14.6%
16.2%
15.0%
15.1%
13.6% 13.0%
16.4%
14.7%
15.1%
17.4%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Survey Dates
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CNBC Fed Survey July 28, 2015 Page 28 of 33
FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
FED SURVEY April 30,
26. What is your primary area of interest?
Comments: Robert Brusca, Fact and Opinion Economics: Monetary
policy is not 'too tight ' as I said because of interest rates that
are 'too high.'
It is bank regulation and the imposition of high capital/asset
ratios IN CONJUNCTION WITH the way Fed stress tests are performed
that make policy restrictive. I still don't think that the Fed
thinks of its policy that way and that is the reason why monetary
policy stays too
tight. Since banks have to keep capital relative to assets in
order to survive the pit of a draconian stress test, the effective
capital asset ratio they have to have is really much greater. It is
why banks are not lending more. Fed policy on banks is really
onerous regulation
and is highly restrictive. Overseas.. EMU IS IMPOSING AUSTERITY.
Where could growth possibly come from, let alone inflation?
Commodity and oil prices are crashing, gold is imploding, the
dollar is strong and the FED is ITCHING to hike rates. Wake me when
this
bad dream is over! Janet! Who really thinks that the economy
will pick up in the second half of the year? Good luck with that.
By the
Economics
49%
Equities 17%
Fixed Income
11%
Currencies
3%
Other 20%
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
FED SURVEY April 30,
way, Greece is still just an accident waiting to happen. It
needs too much debt relief to be able to survive and it will not
get enough of it. Greece is forming a new ring of Hell in Dante's
inferno.
Thomas Costerg, Standard Chartered Bank: We think the FOMC will
adopt a do no harm approach when it meets this week: the statement
is unlikely to give explicit strong guidance about a near-term rate
hike, in our view. The only hint we foresee might be a
more upbeat tone about the domestic economy in the first
paragraph. We still expect a September rate hike, but this hinges
on an improvement in domestic data ahead of the meeting,
particularly signs of an uptrend/bounce in wages/inflation and
signs of
improvement in H2 GDP growth after a meagre performance in H1.
John Donaldson, Haverford Trust Co.: There is an exceptionally wide
range of predictions regarding the Fed. One extreme expects no
action until the middle of 2016. The other extreme calls for a
3% funds rate by the end of 2016. Both do not take the FOMC at its
word that moves will be soon and gradual. We take the FOMC at its
word and expect the first move in September and that subsequent
moves will be very gradual. When a Fed Chair uses a word
(gradual) three times in one comment during Congressional
testimony, you should pay attention.
Mark Elenowitz, TriPoint Global Equities: While countries such
as China and Greece continue on a downward spiral, our domestic
capital markets have proven their resilience to international
pressures and I believe this same resilience will be shown once
the Fed raises rates. Dennis Gartman, The Gartman Letter: I have
too many venues
already in place to make a fool of myself; I needn't supply
others. Kevin Giddis, Raymond James/Morgan Keegan: The market seems
to be saying "no" even as the Fed is saying "yes" to a near-
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FED SURVEY April 30,
term rate hike. While the Fed ultimately has the stick, they
really need the market to come along so we don't find ourselves in
a highly volatile limited liquidity aftershock of the Fed's
action.
Stuart Hoffman, PNC Financial Services Group: GDP data on 7/30
for 2Q'15 and revisions to 2012-2014 will be "game changers" for
outlook for timing of the first funds rate hike. I expect real GDP
growth will be revised up from the pre-revision 2.3% average
for
2012-2014 along with a smoother quarterly pattern reflecting
less "residual seasonality." I expect 1Q'15 real GDP to be revised
up to near 0.8% and 2Q'15 to top 3% so first-half real GDP will be
up by nearly 2%. This will cause upward revisions to the market's
and
FOMC's consensus forecasts for real GDP in 2015 (4Q-4Q) and
support an initial funds rate hike at the September FOMC meeting.
Then the 2Q ECI data on 7/31 will show workers' wage and fringe
benefit compensation running close to up 2.5% from a year ago,
well
above the AHE data and help "light up" the Yellen labor market
dashboard Art Hogan, Wunderlich Securities: The bond market and
the
strong dollar have already tightened for the Fed. Its time for
the Committee to join the Party.
Hugh Johnson, Hugh Johnson Advisors: There are two important
issues that need to be resolved before the Fed will be
comfortable/justified in moving toward restraint. The first is
inflation. It is still unclear if and when the rate of consumer
inflation will move
to 2.0%. The second issue is China. Given the performance of the
Shanghai Composite it is very unclear what will be the outcome for
the financial markets and economy of China and, by implication,
global financial markets and global economy. There needs to be
a
significantly higher level of confidence that Chinese
policymakers will manage the decline in equities and impact on
Chinese domestic consumption well. This is important.
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FED SURVEY July 28, 2015
FED SURVEY April 30,
Subodh Kumar, Subodh Kumar & Associates: Unavoidable reality
is one of interest rate increases as Fed Chair Yellen and several
governors have underscored. We believe the Fed rate hikes start
from September 2015. The first tranches of quantitative ease
were necessary. Later ones likely have had side effects like
procrastination on restructuring by governments and companies as
well as complacency in the capital markets. The corporate earnings
reports continue to have expectations being cut to levels then
routinely exceeded in actual reporting but which now risk
diluting market information content. With bifurcation sharp and
buybacks clouding issues, we favor quality of operational and
financial structure. In the critical financial services sector,
which is still
addressing past scandals and globally facing regulatory, capital
structure and business change, we favor the early movers on
restructuring.
Guy LeBas, Janney Montgomery Scott: Leaked economic projections
provided to the FOMC indicate that Fed board staff economists
project only one 25bps rate hike this year. Alternately, we could
see two "micro hikes" of less than 25bps to get to the same
point--the potential for a micro hike is being largely ignored,
but hard to say exactly how market participants would interpret
such an action differently from a single 25bps hike.
John Lonski, Moody's: At the current annual rate of base metals
price deflation, the 10-year Treasury has always been less than its
year-earlier reading, while fed funds has never been hiked. Also,
the
current widening of the high-yield bond spread and the ongoing
climb by the average expected frequency of high-yield defaults
weigh against significantly higher interest rates. What many refer
to as a "lift off" by interest rates might better be described as a
"spurt."
Drew Matus, UBS Investment Research: We believe zero rates are
restraining economic activity. A move off of the zero bound may
boost economic activity.
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FED SURVEY April 30,
Rob Morgan, Sethi Financial Group: In spite of slow job growth
and low inflation, the Fed needs ammo to fight the next recession
and will hike at least once, and maybe twice, before year-end.
James Paulsen, Wells Capital Management: One of the most
interesting current financial market characteristics is despite
widening concerns about weaker global growth and deflation, 10-year
government bond yields in the U.S. and in Germany remain
near yearly highs. Does this reflect increased certainty of
near-term Fed tightening or is the bond market suggesting yields
maybe have finally bottomed for this recovery cycle?
John Roberts, Hilliard Lyons: While we are early in the Q2
earnings season, cautiousness in forward guidance among some of the
large multinational companies outside of F/X impacts have caused us
to become even more defensive in our recommendation
for client positioning in the equity markets. The length of the
current Bull market only adds to this caution and the potential for
at least a modest pullback. If these early indications of weakness
are confirmed as we move through earnings season, the markets
may
have already reached their highs for the year. Chris Rupkey,
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi: The Fed is behind the
curve. They will break the fixed income markets if they don't
raise rates from zero shortly. Failure to normalize rates is
changing the cyclical nature of interest rates, confusing
corporations who always try to lower interest costs. Fed officials
from other years fought
inflation for too long and the current Fed is fighting
unemployment for too long. We cannot know now what problems their
zero rates policy will cause for the economy in the years to come.
It may be creating a new housing price bubble. Yellen, at her SF
Fed perch,
didn't stop the first bubble so perhaps she doesn't see that her
policy risks a new bubble. Allen Sinai, Decision Economics: U.S.
and global economies are
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headed for the best years of the expansion in 2016/2017. Diane
Swonk, Mesirow Financial: Limp off for the Fed will be an
interactive process, driven by both data and financial market
reactions to the process; markets will need time to adjust to
normalization in policy Peter Tanous, Lynx Investment Advisory: The
biggest concern
today is the future of China's growth. Will China's efforts to
manage its economy and stock market work? We just don't know. Scott
Wren, Wells Fargo Advisors: The U.S. economy will likely
continue on this modest growth/modest inflation path for several
more years. Stocks can do fine in this environment. International
growth will also be modest and inflation will stay low. Expect 6%
to 10% total return for the S&P 500 over the next couple of
years. We
are likely in the 7th inning of this cycle. We want our clients
to be optimistic and use market volatility to put sidelined funds
to work. Mark Zandi, Moody's Analytics: All the ingredients are in
place for
the Fed to begin normalizing monetary policy.