The Fed: Hawks? Or Chickens?
The suspense is over -- the Federal Reserve opted to cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points and to cut the discount rate by 25 points. That brings fed funds to 4.5% and the discount rate to 5%. Here is the text of the statement:
"The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower its target for the federal funds rate 25 basis points to 4-1/2 percent.
Economic growth was solid in the third quarter, and strains in financial markets have eased somewhat on balance. However, the pace of economic expansion will likely slow in the near term, partly reflecting the intensification of the housing correction. Today’s action, combined with the policy action taken in September, should help forestall some of the adverse effects on the broader economy that might otherwise arise from the disruptions in financial markets and promote moderate growth over time.
Readings on core inflation have improved modestly this year, but recent increases in energy and commodity prices, among other factors, may put renewed upward pressure on inflation. In this context, the Committee judges that some inflation risks remain, and it will continue to monitor inflation developments carefully.
The Committee judges that, after this action, the upside risks to inflation roughly balance the downside risks to growth. The Committee will continue to assess the effects of financial and other developments on economic prospects and will act as needed to foster price stability and sustainable economic growth.
Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Charles L. Evans; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Frederic S. Mishkin; William Poole; Eric S. Rosengren; and Kevin M. Warsh. Voting against was Thomas M. Hoenig, who preferred no change in the federal funds rate at this meeting.
In a related action, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a 25-basis-point decrease in the discount rate to 5 percent. In taking this action, the Board approved the requests submitted by the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of New York, Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, and San Francisco."
My analysis ...
Maybe the Fed "hawks" aren't dead and buried after all. While the Fed cut rates, said "the pace of economic expansion will likely slow in the near term," and highlighted the "intensification of the housing correction," policymakers also acknowledged the fact that oil, gold, and all kinds of other commodities have gone ballistic. The comment that policymakers will "monitor inflation developments carefully" seems particularly hawkish. Moreover, Kansas City Fed President Thomas Hoenig dissented on the rate cut vote, preferring to keep rates unchanged.
But actions speak louder than words -- and the Fed did choose to cut rates. As a result, the market may interpret the inflation warnings as "chicken" talk, not hawk talk. Put simply, the Fed has chosen to combat short-term economic weakness at the expense of fueling long-term inflation. Yes, that's an oil price pun.
In early, post-Fed trading, the dollar is plumbing new depths ... long bonds are getting pummeled ... and stocks are all over the map.
"The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower its target for the federal funds rate 25 basis points to 4-1/2 percent.
Economic growth was solid in the third quarter, and strains in financial markets have eased somewhat on balance. However, the pace of economic expansion will likely slow in the near term, partly reflecting the intensification of the housing correction. Today’s action, combined with the policy action taken in September, should help forestall some of the adverse effects on the broader economy that might otherwise arise from the disruptions in financial markets and promote moderate growth over time.
Readings on core inflation have improved modestly this year, but recent increases in energy and commodity prices, among other factors, may put renewed upward pressure on inflation. In this context, the Committee judges that some inflation risks remain, and it will continue to monitor inflation developments carefully.
The Committee judges that, after this action, the upside risks to inflation roughly balance the downside risks to growth. The Committee will continue to assess the effects of financial and other developments on economic prospects and will act as needed to foster price stability and sustainable economic growth.
Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Charles L. Evans; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Frederic S. Mishkin; William Poole; Eric S. Rosengren; and Kevin M. Warsh. Voting against was Thomas M. Hoenig, who preferred no change in the federal funds rate at this meeting.
In a related action, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a 25-basis-point decrease in the discount rate to 5 percent. In taking this action, the Board approved the requests submitted by the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of New York, Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, and San Francisco."
My analysis ...
Maybe the Fed "hawks" aren't dead and buried after all. While the Fed cut rates, said "the pace of economic expansion will likely slow in the near term," and highlighted the "intensification of the housing correction," policymakers also acknowledged the fact that oil, gold, and all kinds of other commodities have gone ballistic. The comment that policymakers will "monitor inflation developments carefully" seems particularly hawkish. Moreover, Kansas City Fed President Thomas Hoenig dissented on the rate cut vote, preferring to keep rates unchanged.
But actions speak louder than words -- and the Fed did choose to cut rates. As a result, the market may interpret the inflation warnings as "chicken" talk, not hawk talk. Put simply, the Fed has chosen to combat short-term economic weakness at the expense of fueling long-term inflation. Yes, that's an oil price pun.
In early, post-Fed trading, the dollar is plumbing new depths ... long bonds are getting pummeled ... and stocks are all over the map.
posted by Mike Larson at
2:23 PM
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