Scott Helfstein, head of investment strategy at Global X, said the Fed wants to start a rate-cutting cycle without triggering an asset bubble, but a 50 basis point cut could be too aggressive. We have already seen the Fed cut rates by 50 basis points ahead of time, which could be seen as the Fed's concern about a weaker economy. However, strong fundamentals in the coming weeks could calm markets and may keep money out of the market.
Scott Helfstein, head of investment strategy at Global X, said the Fed was likely to take note of continued consumer strength after better-than-expected US retail sales in August. "With CPI inflation at 2.5 per cent, 300 basis points may be too high in real terms, but the Fed does have the freedom to move and can start by 25 basis points or a full 50 basis points," he said. The key, he said, is for the Fed to start cutting interest rates, and the magnitude of the rate cut may have little to do w...