Quote from jem:
serious question. a rate cut or a series of them does stimulate the economy by providing cheaper money.
But, by all reports there is tons of money out there looking for a home.
And a rate cut might not have the effect or lowering the 10 yr or 30 yr yield.
A rate cut might have an effect on two year arms and the like. But to have an impact on housing it would have to be a couple points along with a easing of restrictions on subprime lending.
there are many other issues.
A. according to fed any cuts/hikes take some time to be felt in real economy (6mos+). Personally I think that's bullshit - that might have been true 15 years ago but not today when markets and information flow is much more efficient. But if it is true then it will be felt right at the time after the housing market recovers and help to start the next housing bubble all over again...
B. i believe that fed funds have recently lost all impact on economy - there is so much money that rates are determined by other factors and it is imaginable that cut would in fact tighten monetary conditions (e.g. via foreigner outflows).
C. It is all about confidence - and cutting rates in environment is a certain suicide. It is not a coincidence that economy was extremely strong during recent hiking campaign (demonstrating fed confidence in economy)....
D. etc etc
