Powell's not doing 'any favors' by hinting at cuts: Strategist

The FOMC kicked off its highly anticipated two-day meeting on Tuesday, with markets eagerly awaiting the interest rate decision. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is set to announce the committee's verdict on Wednesday, with investors hoping for a rate cut to alleviate inflationary pressures.

In the lead-up to the FOMC meeting, John Hancock Investment Management's Co-Chief Investment Strategist Matt Miskin joins the Morning Brief to share his insight into the Fed rate cut outlook.

Miskin acknowledges that inflationary pressures have "spooked the markets," predicting that the Fed will adopt a "more hawkish" stance. He advises investors to reduce their risk exposure, citing the Fed's role in allowing "this inflation problem to reemerge."

As the Fed continues to hint at the possibility of rate cuts materializing in 2024, Miskin suggests that when Fed Chair Powell delivers the decision on Wednesday, he "should say there will be a big shift to that." In the current economic environment, Miskin recommends high-quality bonds as an opportunity for investors, stating that he is "struggling to see value" in equities.

"Powell's not doing himself any favors, and the Fed more broadly, by talking about cuts. Because when they talked about cuts...that actually stimulated the economy," Miskin tells Yahoo Finance.

For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Morning Brief.

This post was written by Angel Smith