So basically Bernane promised rate hike

Quote from tradestrong:

bologna. It is seriously in the best interest of the economy to raise rates.

There are fundamentally a number of reasons why interest rates should be raised right now, and they are all well correlated.

Number 1: Inflation is very high right now. Raising interest rates will help combat this in two ways. First, it will help spurn more foreign investment into the US markets. Historically, foreign money is attracted to higher interest economies. The reasons should be obvious why it would gravitate towards those economies. Now, the US economy has been able to buck that normal trend because of the maturity and stability of the US economy and the dollar. Right now, the dollar is extremely weak though. Top that off with low interest rates, and foreign money has no incentive to invest in American securities. If you think American investment alone is going to pull us out of this hole, you're living in a pipe dream.

Number 2: Raising rates should also help to increase the demand for the USD. This should help strengthen the dollar. Again, it will attract foreign investment and will help drive down inflation. Right now, the benefits of low interest rates are not offsetting the disadvantages. We need to strengthen the dollar and we need to attract more foreign investment. *This* will strengthen the American economy much more efficiently than a stagflation with low interest rates.

A strong dollar will make American equity securities more expensive to foreign investors, while fixed-income securities more attractive, yield-wise. IMO you over-simplified. Thoughts?
 
Quote from kerph32:

A strong dollar will make American equity securities more expensive to foreign investors, while fixed-income securities more attractive, yield-wise. IMO you over-simplified. Thoughts?

I think you oversimplified. You jumped right to the "strong" dollar.

A "STRENGTHENING" dollar will make all US investments more attractive to foreign investors. Whether it's fixed incomes, equity or currency investments. Low interest rates with a low USD have no attractive features whatsoever to a foreign investor. If the investor believes that rates will start increasing, then there is opportunity in many different security vehicles to increase their cash flows.
 
Good point, I did leave out the effects of inflection and slope

One negative effect of the strengthening dollar will be a slowing of the trade deficit improvement that we've been seeing. How fast? I suppose that's one of the $$$ questions. While GE may see improvements in its financing activities, its international sales could get hurt with rising rates. My long position (~$31) is starting to worry me
 
Quote from kerph32:

Good point, I did leave out the effects of inflection and slope

Exactly.

One negative effect of the strengthening dollar will be a slowing of the trade deficit improvement that we've been seeing. How fast? I suppose that's one of the $$$ questions. While GE may see improvements in its financing activities, its international sales could get hurt with rising rates. My long position (~$31) is starting to worry me

That is definitely a valid concern. But then again, if the ECB decides to raise rates in parallel, that should help keep the improving trade deficit from reversing the trend. We are really in a catch-22 right now though. I'm not sure that the risk of stagflation is worth keeping rates low. It'll definitely be a gamble either way the Fed reacts. But the question will be, what is the higher risk.
 
If you'll look at the 2yr from a top down macro perspective, it closed up 33bps touching 2.74% today. That's a steep slope! Looking like higher speculation towards 25bps tightening imo.

However, in the face of further elevated unemployment numbers, or another 5.5% (or worse) reporting, I would think the fed would pause?:confused:
 
Quote from tradestrong:

Exactly.



That is definitely a valid concern. But then again, if the ECB decides to raise rates in parallel, that should help keep the improving trade deficit from reversing the trend. We are really in a catch-22 right now though. I'm not sure that the risk of stagflation is worth keeping rates low. It'll definitely be a gamble either way the Fed reacts. But the question will be, what is the higher risk.

There's another concern... if rates stay low for a few more months, more people will refinance and could be talked into variable rates that look attractive now, but... (we know how this ends)

If the ECB raises rates, wouldn't that contribute to even more money flowing into Europe and out of the US?


And on the second post... 'congratulations' I guess, but Visa seems so overvalued right now. I've been saying that since 70 though, so it's a good thing I didn't act on the thought. Global growth looks good, of course, but the P/E seems quite high
 
going from 4% to 2% is a 50% drop in interest payment.

he is extending the lifeline of banks and brokers..

but a the expense of inflation.

beggar thy neigbor policy.

wall street buddies get a handout fbut mean and lean main street pays for it by high gas prices and food. zero sum gain.



consumer spending is still the driver of the economy

Quote from kashirin:

no later than August.

Actually I think it's gonna happen in June


he has no choice if he don't hike and ECB does - it will be ugly
 
Quote from kashirin:

My opinion based on Fed futures that show 20% chance rate hike in June after Bernanke speech

Also I would recommend you to check bond prices

Do you think all those people out of their mind

Bernanke has no choice - rate hike or 150$ oil


Pure conjecture and speculation on your behalf.

Feds do not cut rates and than hike next month. This is not a trading game or stock market price action. Fed rate cuts take 4-8 months to work fully and it would be at least a year before you can conjecture on your part if the Fed will hike rates.
 
Quote from stock_trad3r:

Regarldess of what the fed does I all know is I'm sitting on some sweet MOS and Visa gains. made so much $$ past few months.


Take it off the table before these urchins from hungry land reach out and swipe it from you. Donot trust this market ruled by chart destructive cowards these days.
 
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