While fund managers in the U.S. were a little more simpatico with Janet Yellen’s decision to keep rates on hold, across the pond, British money runners were apparently not that happy.
According to the Financial Times, several U.K.-based asset managers found the Fed’s recent decision not only “frustrating,” but also a blow to the central bank’s creditability.
Luca Paolini, Pictet’s chief strategist, said that by keeping the status quo, the Fed has only made things worse: “The uncertainty is worse than a rate hike. A Fed hike could have been a major turning point for emerging markets. Now the concerns about global growth will intensify.”
Kevin Adams and Kevin O’Nolan meanwhile both agreed that the move was “pretty frustrating,” with Adams – head of institutional fixed income at Henderson – adding that it “massively undermines [the Fed’s] credibility,” while O’Nolan – a portfolio manager at Fidelity – stated that this just means that “uncertainty [over emerging markets] will remain.”
And they do have a point. While the buyside did push spoos higher after the announcement, fear and loathing eventually overcame the equity markets and bathed it in a sea of red. The only things bidding up right now are safe havens such as the swissie, the yen, and gold. Heck, even the euro – a currency not known for its stability and virtue – actually managed to post some gains.
All is not lost however. While it did spike January Fed fund rates after she insisted on a 2015 rate hike, the market still hasn’t voted against Yellen in a real way. So while things may get a little choppy, it could be much worse.
Her belief in the Phillips Curve should be of some concern though.
Photo: Brookings Institute