Survey: 84% of respondents expect Yellen to be appointed as the new Federal Reserve Chair, but only 11% support her election

**December 10th** Despite widespread market expectations that White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett will be tapped as the next Federal Reserve chair, respondents to a CNBC Fed Survey say he is not their top pick. The survey finds 84% of respondents believe President Trump will nominate Hassett to lead the Fed—but only 11% think the president “should” do so. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller tops the list of preferred candidates with 47% support, followed closely by Kevin Warsh at 23%. However, just 5% of respondents believe Trump will nominate either of the two. Concerns about Hassett center on his commitment to the Fed’s dual mandate and independence. Some 76% of respondents expect the next Fed chair to be more dovish than current Chair Jerome Powell—meaning faster rate cuts in weak labor markets and delayed hikes when inflation runs above target. A 51% majority thinks the next chair may accede to Trump’s rate-cut demands, while 41% believe they’ll act independently. (Source: FXStreet)