I must admit that I do not really understand why so many seem to have been so pleased with what Bernanke had to say on Friday. Maybe there was something in his speech that I missed.
I did not expect him to say that he was afraid of a double dip into recession, had he done that the Dow might have sold off 500 points or so. So of course he will try to say something "positive" for the economy and the markets. Especialy since the administration needs some good headlines concerning the markets and the economy at this point.
Bernanke also made statements that if the economy started falling back into a recession the FED will act. I am wondering exactly how effective the remaining tools that they have will be?
If the main reason that companies are hoarding cash and not expanding and hiring, is because they lack confidence in the economy and govt policies, how will more liquidity in the system, via the FED buying mortgage bonds, promote more corporations to borrow funds and expand? In this environment how would corporations, many of which already have cash, benefit from increased liquidity or anything that the FED can do? As far as the already deeply indebted American public, can they borrow more and should they? How will home buying increase when the few people who are qualified to buy a home, and need, one are still waiting for price drops?
It seems that increased gridlock in Washington is what many corporations are placing their hopes on. I just wonder if this is a time when the nation really needs gridlock and will that really help the economy? It seems that we may be entering a time when action is needed more than ever before and the best that we can get is a "nothing done".