Rate Cuts on Hold: The Fed’s Calculated Patience Amid Tariff Volatility

Nuveen’s Head of Fixed Income Strategy, Tony Rodriguez, assesses the Fed’s May decision to hold rates steady amid heightened tariff-driven uncertainty and outlines actionable strategies for navigating a slower, more inflationary U.S. economy.

Key Insights:

• No Pre-Emptive Cuts: Fed signals it will await real labor market weakness before easing; two cuts still forecasted for 2025.

• Growth & Inflation Revised: U.S. GDP downgraded to <1% with core PCE now expected to reach 3.4% by year-end.

• Investor Playbook Shifts: Favor dividend growers for equity resilience and preferred securities, securitized credit, and short-duration munis for yield and stability.

Explore Nuveen’s detailed macro outlook and asset allocation strategies in the full report.