"Bernanke's Legacy Problem" Bruce Krasting
http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/2013-01-05/bernankes-legacy-problem
I don't have a strong opinion regarding Krasting's "legacy thesis".
However, he makes an interesting point about different asset classes' reaction to the Fed meeting minutes.
"There are two schools of thought on the Fedâs QE activity:
"- All of the Fed Governors (specifically, Bernanke and Yellen) have stated their belief that it is the size of the Fedâs balance sheet that matters when it comes to measuring monetary stimulus. The vast number of folks who opine on the Fed, also believe this is the case. So the markets, and the Fed believe that âneutralâ means that the Fedâs balance sheet remains static.
"- A small, but vocal minority, lead by Tyler Durden at Zero Hedge, see it differently. This group believes that it is not the size of the Fedâs balance sheet that is the issue. It is the daily, weekly, monthly flows that the Fed creates with QE that is the critical metric when measuring monetary policy.
"The two different views are remarkably divergent in their conclusions. And only one camp will be proven right.
"I happen to agree with Durden. Itâs the flow, not the size. We have a capital market that has a $20B âbidâ in it every week. With each POMO buy, the primary dealers have cash money in their pockets, and they have to spend it. So they buy âstuffâ. The stuff they buy with the loot from QE ranges from Treasuries, to junk, to equities. I believe that the constant demand from the Fed is the gas that makes these transactions happen. I believe that when POMO stops, so does the merry-go-round.
"The Fed will not stop QE abruptly. There will be a 3-6 month wind-down of the POMO buys. We have been here before, with QE1. Well before the Fed stopped buying, markets started to react to what was then perceived to be the end of the QE party.
"To a significant extent, this question, and how the markets answer it, will resolve the fate of the markets, the broader economy and Bernankeâs legacy. So this is a very big deal.
"The view of the Fed, that it is balance sheet size not flow that matters, is supported by 95% of the market today. So when Steve Liesman tells you that the Fed is moving to âneutralâ, and thatâs not a big deal, be wary. The "consensus view" is rarely right in these matters. I think the Fedâs neutral is going to feel as if we are in reverse, and moving backwards pretty fast."
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It appears that the equity market thinks that earnings and/or valuations won't be hurt by a reduction in QE. However ZeroHedge and Krasting believe that it's the flow that counts, especially with regards to the P/E multiple that one places on equities.
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The above post follows from similar discussion in Daal's Global Macro journal here:
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3715473#post3715473