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Economic Update <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Recent economic data continues to suggest positive but below trend growth this year.Although the pace of job growth is <br />moderating,labor markets remain solid,and the U.S.consumer has demonstrated resiliency.Given the cumulative effects <br />of restrictive monetary policy and tighter financial conditions,we believe the Federal Reserve is likely near a pause in their <br />rate hiking campaign.If moderate growth continues,we believe the Fed will likely maintain the Federal Funds rate in <br />restrictive territory until inflationary pressures subside. <br />At the May meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to raise the target federal funds rate by 0.25% <br />to a range of 5.00 -5.25%.Notably,the committee omitted a line from its March statement referencing that “some <br />additional policy firming may be appropriate.” Instead,the FOMC will determine “the extent to which additional policy <br />firming may be appropriate”,implying a potential pause that is data dependent.Fed Chair Powell reiterated the <br />committee’s focus on bringing down inflation to their 2%target and indicated that their outlook did not support rate cuts, <br />contrary to the market consensus.The statement also emphasized that the U.S.banking system is “sound and resilient”and <br />acknowledged the tightening of financial conditions. Considering the totality of economic data,the Chandler team <br />continues to believe the Fed is likely near a pause in their rate hiking cycle and will maintain higher rates for some time. <br />In April,the yield curve inversion widened.The 2-year Treasury yield fell 2 basis points to 4.01%,the 5-year Treasury yield <br />dropped 9 basis points to 3.49%,and the 10-year Treasury yield fell 5 basis points to 3.43%.The inversion between the 2- <br />year Treasury yield and 10-year Treasury yield declined to -58 basis points at April month end versus -56 basis points at <br />March month-end.The spread between the 2-year Treasury and 10-year Treasury yield one year ago was +22 basis points. <br />The inversion between 3-month and 10-year Treasuries widened to -163 basis points in April from -128 in March.The shape <br />of the yield curve indicates that the probability of recession is increasing. <br />3