They are stuck in a vise between a rock and hard place. The answer is simple raise rates and get it done and over with. Reactionary placating policies lead to nothing more than impulsive solutions that prolong a correction.
Akuma
Akuma
Not really... allow me to intervene with a few facts: 1) The fed does print but it doesn't occur as a part of QE. QE changes the ratio of Bank reserves to Treasury securities held in the private sector. The fed is doing the opposite of QE right now, i.e. they are decreasing reserves and increasing Treasuries held in the private sector; 2) The fed does "print" from time to time but they have no control over the amounts "printed", nor does the Treasury. The amount to be printed is decided indirectly by Congress when they determine the level of spending and the level of taxing.That is clearly unthinkable right now given the huge debt levels compared to the 80's
This is good. Completely consistent with what I point out above. Notice he points out that Congress determines the amount of printing , not the fed. Second he points out that QE does not cause inflation. He points out that the fed can supply all the cash needed in the banking system. This does not involve any "printing" of new money, however, unless the Congress so directs. (I point out above how Congress does this).Whoops...
This is good. Completely consistent with what I point out above. Notice he points out that Congress determines the amount of printing , not the fed. Second he points out that QE does not cause inflation. He points out that the fed can supply all the cash needed in the banking system. This does not involve any "printing" of new money, however, unless the Congress so directs. (I point out above how Congress does this).
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As long as I can remember, going all the way back to the early 90s, it's ALWAYS been that way. Greenspan, Bernanke, Yellen, Powell, all same. When things look rosy, they sit on their hands and do absolutely nothing until EVERYONE knows the market is frothy. It's only after the bubble bursts and the market tanks they scramble for action. But by then, it's too little too late. With this current inflation, Powell and his cronies could have started upping the rates much sooner but no, they just had to wait until all the stars lined up. By that time, you didn't need to be a genius, let alone an economist, to know that price is friggin' outta control.Nobody can take Fed too seriously: they had every opportunity to increase rates more, & also increase between meetings. Essentially world still has negative interest rates, as inflation pretty much everywhere is higher than rates.
They also could increase margin requirements for stocks, which would both stop much stupid speculation, & also help reduce intermediate & long-term inflation expectations.
And don't forget their irresponsible 7 Trillion dollar balance sheet. They could have increased QT over the past 6+ months, which even a small increase of not rolling-over holdings, would send a strong message to markets.
The Fed remains in a drunken stupor, and the world continues to suffer. Inflation not only causes prices higher than they would have been, but creates & supports zombie corporations, and yes, zombie jobs.
SBF, much of crypto world, including NFTs, & even Meta spending multi-billions on a at least for now, fantasy, all likely would not have come into existence without Fed's money printing for the past decade.
The Fed members all talk tough, but little action in the real world. which is why Wall Street is so convinced they will fold in the end.

This inflation has been simmering since late mid-1990s, thanks to Greenspan. However, like SBF outdid Madoff, Bernanke, Yellen & Powell outdid not only SBF, but even Greenspan (they all created fiat "currency,") Quite ironic the greatest democratic republic ever established, is being brought down by a few hand fulls of non-elected dictators.As long as I can remember, going all the way back to the early 90s, it's ALWAYS been that way. Greenspan, Bernanke, Yellen, Powell, all same. When things look rosy, they sit on their hands and do absolutely nothing until EVERYONE knows the market is frothy. It's only after the bubble bursts and the market tanks they scramble for action. But by then, it's too little too late. With this current inflation, Powell and his cronies could have started upping the rates much sooner but no, they just had to wait until all the stars lined up. By that time, you didn't need to be a genius, let alone an economist, to know that price is friggin' outta control.
FYI I've been bitching about this inflation since the early 2020.![]()
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