🎙️ podcast Analysis December 15, 2025 Thoughts on the Market by Morgan Stanley

The Dovish Pivot: When Risk Management Meets Labor Market Reality

Fixed Income Currency
Conviction MEDIUM
Risk Profile 1.4/10 (MODERATE RISK)
Horizon 6-12 months
Signal Snapshot Core Theme: Macro / Monetary Policy

Fed done cutting rates after hawkish December meeting, higher for longer policy stance

Fed transitioning to data-dependent cuts with labor market deteriorating faster than visible, two more cuts coming in H1 2026

January 2026 employment reports showing continued cooling; Q1 2026 tariff inflation peak confirmation; January 29, 2026 FOMC meeting

Executive Summary

Morgan Stanley's Chief Economist Michael Gapen identifies a critical Fed policy transition that markets are misreading. While the December FOMC delivered a 'hawkish cut,' Gapen argues the Fed has actually shifted from risk management cuts to data-dependent policy, with Chair Powell providing dovish forward guidance on labor market deterioration and transitory tariff inflation. The key insight is that BLS benchmark revisions suggest the economy may already be shedding 20,000 jobs monthly - a real...

Key Investment Opportunity

Long Duration Treasury Position

Fed policy transition creates duration-friendly environment with 10-year yields expected to drift lower as fed funds rate drops to 3-3.25% by Q2 2026

...and 1 more investment opportunities

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