So the Fed did not raise rates yesterday. To some this seemed to be a surprise; however, as we noted in our post a few days prior to the announcement we believed global economic factors could play a part in the Fed’s rate decision. In fact, Janet Yellen cited issues in markets outside the U.S. as one reason for not moving on rates. Additionally, inflation in the U.S. remains well below the Fed’s 2% target rate. Possibly the biggest surprise out of the meeting was the fact one Fed member believes the Fed needs to move to a negative interest rate position.

In our view the Fed has waited too long to move interest rates higher. The result is the Fed is now in a position where their next move, not necessarily in the next six months, would be lowering rates given where both the U.S. and global economies are in their respective business cycles. The comment on negative interest rates by one Fed member was likely not made without the blessing of Yellen in advance of the meeting. Because the Fed may believe they missed the opportunity to raise rates, the negative interest rate comment is a way to telegraph to the market they have a tool to stimulate if necessary in spite of the current zero interest rate level.

From The Blog of HORAN Capital Advisors

The other factor at play in the Fed’s decision maybe the interplay of higher rates and currency exchange rates. It is clear that China and Russia have been selling Treasuries in an effort to weaken their own currencies.

From The Blog of HORAN Capital Advisors

Source: zerohedge

This being the case, who is left to fund the government deficit? It is estimated that non-U.S. investors purchase about $300 billion in Treasury securities a year. If these foreign buyers are now sellers, that leaves the Fed as the last resort to fund the U.S.’s deficit spending, i.e., continued monetization of the debt. The deficit is now running at about $500 billion.

From The Blog of HORAN Capital Advisors