The Riksbank cut rates, but its forward guidance and a dissenter's vote signal a very high bar for future easing. The move, based on forward-looking inflation expectations rather than current data, effectively marks the end of the easing cycle and creates opportunities for carry trades.

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Emerging market central banks' hawkish commentary while cutting rates reinforces market stability. This low volatility, in turn, gives them confidence to continue the cutting cycle. This feedback loop can make low-volatility periods surprisingly persistent, as the actions and outcomes mutually reinforce each other.

While the Swedish market prices in an extended "on hold" policy from the Riksbank, a downside risk premium could build in the curve. This creates an asymmetric opportunity in long duration positions targeting mid-2026, where the possibility of hikes is negligible but the potential for lower yields offers attractive upside.

Sweden's 2026 budget introduced unfunded reforms worth 1.2% of GDP, far exceeding expectations. This large fiscal injection surprised markets, pushed interest rates higher, and shows how expansionary government spending can counteract a central bank's monetary policy signals.

The widely expected 25 basis point rate cut was overshadowed by two dissents—one for a larger cut and one for holding rates steady. This internal division, along with four reserve banks requesting no discount rate change, signals significant uncertainty and disagreement within the Fed about the future path of monetary policy.

The upcoming Bank of Japan meeting is the most critical central bank event, with implications beyond FX markets. A hawkish surprise could create a volatility event in Japan's long-end yield curve, which could easily reverberate across global rates markets, impacting carry trades and broader market stability.

The market is pricing 50 basis points of easing from Norges Bank by the end of 2026. However, strong growth, a solid labor market, and high inflation suggest the central bank will not deliver these cuts, implying that front-end Norwegian yields are biased higher.

The Fed's recent hawkish comments are likely a communication strategy to manage market certainty about a December rate cut, rather than a fundamental policy shift. The firm's economist still anticipates a cut, and the market prices in three cuts over 12 months, suggesting the overall easing backdrop remains intact for Emerging Markets.

In shallow easing cycles, historical data shows Treasury yields don't bottom on the day of the final rate cut. Instead, they typically hit their low point one to two months prior, signaling a rebound even as the Fed completes its easing actions.

The disinflationary impact from goods prices has largely run its course in emerging markets. The remaining inflation is concentrated in the service sector, which is sticky and less responsive to monetary policy. This structural shift means the broad rate-cutting cycle is nearing its end, as central banks have limited tools to address services inflation.

The FOMC's recent rate cut marks the end of preemptive, "risk management" cuts designed to insure against potential future risks. Future policy changes will now be strictly reactive, depending on incoming economic data. This is a critical shift in the Fed's reaction function that changes the calculus for predicting future moves.