Citi Takes Profits on December Fed Hike Bets, Says Bar for 50-Basis-Point Move Remains High

Citi strategists took profits on a trade recommending positioning for a December Fed rate hike, saying the bar for a 50-basis-point increase remains high. According to Sina Finance, after the October CPI release, markets had fully priced in a 25-basis-point hike next month, and Citi also closed a short position betting on two-year core inflation. The team led by Jason Williams wrote that Fed Governor Christopher Waller’s remarks and Tuesday’s inflation data had “opened up the distribution of possibilities,” but the team still considered the bar for a 50-basis-point hike high. Citi said inflation had exceeded expectations for a second consecutive month, prompting it to seriously reassess its view that core inflation would steadily decline.