The U.S. is experiencing a rare combination of easing monetary, fiscal, and regulatory policies at the same time. This trifecta of support, typically reserved for dire economic conditions, is creating a favorable environment where markets can run hot and valuations may overshoot their typical levels.
On paper, the Fed is shrinking its balance sheet to cool the economy (quantitative tightening). In reality, rate cuts and other channels are injecting liquidity into the financial system faster than it's being removed. This contradictory policy means that despite official tightening, actual liquidity conditions are already easing, fueling asset prices.
A surge in IPOs and M&A isn't driven by pro-business policies, but by a reduction in policy uncertainty. With a clearer, albeit more interventionist, landscape, companies have the confidence to execute major strategic plans they had previously postponed.
The Federal Reserve is easing monetary policy at a time when corporate earnings are already growing strongly. This rare combination has only occurred once in the last 40 years, in 1998, which was followed by two more years of a powerful bull market run.
Despite weak underlying economic data, the probability of a recession is not over 50% due to anticipated policy stimulus. This includes Fed rate cuts, major tax cuts, and deregulation, which are expected to provide significant, albeit temporary, economic support.
Current equity market strength relies on a favorable policy mix. However, an underlying risk is the lack of any political path to address elevated U.S. deficits. This places the entire burden on continued economic growth to manage fiscal issues. If growth falters, these deficit concerns could emerge as a major risk factor.
Large, ongoing fiscal deficits are now the primary driver of the U.S. economy, a factor many macro analysts are missing. This sustained government spending creates a higher floor for economic activity and asset prices, rendering traditional monetary policy indicators less effective and making the economy behave more like a fiscally dominant state.
The market is focusing on individual positives like earnings growth and Fed easing, but the real story is the reinforcing interplay between deregulation, operating leverage, and accommodative monetary and fiscal policy. This collective impact is being underestimated by investors.
The argument against a market top is that high multiples are justified. In an era of sustained currency debasement, investors must hold assets like stocks to preserve purchasing power. This historical precedent suggests today's valuations might be a new, structurally higher baseline.
The US economy is seeing a rare combination of high government deficits, massive AI-driven corporate investment, and bank deregulation. If the Federal Reserve also cuts rates based on labor market fears, this confluence of fiscal, corporate, and monetary stimulus could ignite unprecedented corporate risk-taking if growth holds up.
A key argument for market bulls is that the Federal Reserve is cutting interest rates while a potential AI bubble is inflating. This is a stark contrast to the dot-com era, when the Fed hiked by 175 basis points, making historical analogies difficult and creating a unique tailwind for equities.