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Carson Block: "The Possibility Of US Default Is Greater Than Anyone Seems To Realize"

Carson Block: "The Possibility Of US Default Is Greater Than Anyone Seems To Realize"

Authored by Carson Block via Bloomberg.com,

Euphoria has been pervasive in the stock market since the election. But investors seem to be overlooking the risk of a U.S. government default resulting from a failure by Congress to raise the debt ceiling. The possibility is greater than anyone seems to realize, even with a supposedly unified government.

What The "Dots" Say: Fed Keeps 2017, 2018 And Long-Run Rate Outlook Unchanged, Raises 2019

For those curious what the Fed's latest dot plot reveals, here is the summary:

  • Median target for end-2017 is 1.375%, unchanged
  • Median target for end-2018 is 2.125%, unchanged;
  • Median target for end-2019 is 3% vs 2.875% in December;
  • Long-run target is 3%, unchanged 

This suggests that at least as of now, the Fed sees no need to move its rate hike forecasts materially higher. As a reminder, the medians increased in December after most declined in previous three quarters.

Here Are The Five Main Things To Watch At Today's Fed Meeting

Here Are The Five Main Things To Watch At Today's Fed Meeting

While it is now virtually assured (odds are 95% according to the CME) that the Fed will announce a 25 bps rate hike today following an unprecedented attempt to reprice the Fed Funds market over the past month by Fed speakers - recall that as recently as three weeks ago, nobody expected a March move by the FOMC - what traders and analysts will be focused on today are hints for the future of the Fed's rate hike moves.

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