The US dollar has slipped lower against the major currencies and is mixed against the emerging market currencies. Still, the consolidative tone seen since the start of the week has continued. There seems to be a technical component here, but after a big push higher, US rates have also eased.
News yesterday that nine of the 12 regional Federal Reserve banks called for a discount rate hike last month. The regional Federal Reserve branches make an non-binding recommendation to the Board of Governors. The Atlanta Fed became the news convert to the cause. This is the highest number requesting that the discount rate be lifted from 1.0% to 1.25% since last December. The Board obviously did not acquiesce, however, it is indicative of the mood.
The three regional Fed branches that did go with the majority are interesting in their own right. NY, which is understandable in our framework that sees Dudley as part of the core Fed leadership that drives policy. Chicago is not much of a surprise. Evans is among the leading doves. The Minneapolis Fed may be the most surprising, but Kashkari has taken a dovish line.
Recall that the September dot plots showed three officials thinking that a rate hike this year would not be appropriate. At the time, many, including ourselves, suspected Governors Brainard and/or Tarullo were among those outliers. It appeared that Yellen had to chose between dissents from the Governors if the Fed hiked or dissents from regional Fed presidents if it stood pat. However, with the discount rate minutes, there are other scenarios that ought to be considered, and in any event, will likely prevent the odds of a December hike unwind too far ahead of the jobs data early next month.
There have been two economic reports that investors are digesting now. First came from China. The world’s second largest economy expanded by 1.8% in Q3 for a 6.7% year-over-year pace. It is spot on expectations and is the third quarter at this reported pace. The GDP estimate sapped the interest from the September industrial output (6.1% vs 6.3% in August) and retail sales (10.7% vs 10.6% in August).
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