US Fed QE2

[harley]

Which is why even proponents of QE2 aren't terribly optimistic about it and why many view it as a second best alternative to . . . fiscal stimulus (queue shrieks of horror).

That's a great idea! A little meth in the water supply will get this nation right back on track!

 

[Gone4Good]

And commodity hoarding does very little for unemployment, or US GDP. In fact, these bubbles that get blown tend to depress demand by increasing risk and uncertainty. In particular, look out below for GDP and employment if crude and gasoline prices start climbing due to Li'l B's machinations.

That's Hussman's view, but I find it hard to take him seriously when in the same article he reiterates his belief that fiscal deficits cause inflation (has he seen deficit and inflation statistics lately, or for the 1930's for that matter?). And on the merits, I'm not convinced that rising oil prices driven by dollar weakness is a net negative for economic growth. Most economists model a weaker dollar as positive for growth.

 

[haha]

That's Hussman's view, but I find it hard to take him seriously when in the same article he reiterates his belief that fiscal deficits cause inflation (has he seen deficit and inflation statistics lately, or for the 1930's for that matter?). And on the merits, I'm not convinced that rising oil prices driven by dollar weakness is a net negative for economic growth. Most economists model a weaker dollar as positive for growth.

Well, it is also my POV, and I really care not a whit whether or not you take it seriously.

I act on my views, and overall it works out fine.

Likely the best act one could make now is to get the hell out of dodge and move to Singapore.

Ha

 

[HFWR]

RE: uncertainty, if I hear one more CEO/banker/trader/hedgefund manager on CNBC say they're uncertain, I'm gonna puke...

Betcha that uncertainty will miraculously evaporate after the election...

Funny how the same whiny-assed CEOs/bankers/etc, and [-]Santelli, Kernan et al[/-] their puppets on CNBC about have a cow over QE2, but the market seems to go up when the possibility is mentioned. Crocodile tears?

 

[Gone4Good]

RE: uncertainty, if I hear one more CEO/banker/trader/hedgefund manager on CNBC say they're uncertain, I'm gonna puke...

It's a plausible theory that government induced uncertainty is retarding economic growth, so one should ask "what's the evidence?" As luck would have it, the National Federation of Independent Businesses has been asking small business owners the question "What is your single biggest problem?" for nearly 30 years. The results show that while concerns about taxation and regulation have ticked up a bit in the last couple of years, concern over "Sales" is off the charts. So looking at some objective evidence, one might conclude that the "uncertainty" actually being felt by business owners isn't so much about the government, but more generally about an economy that fell of a cliff and more specifically about final demand for their products.

 

[samclem]

From an article in tomorrow's WSJ: Fed Gears up for Stimulus

The Federal Reserve is close to embarking on another round of monetary stimulus next week, against the backdrop of a weak economy and low inflation—and despite doubts about the wisdom and efficacy of the policy among economists and some of the Fed's own decision makers.
The central bank is likely to unveil a program of U.S. Treasury bond purchases worth a few hundred billion dollars over several months, a measured approach in contrast to purchases of nearly $2 trillion it unveiled during the financial crisis. The announcement is expected to be made at the conclusion of a two-day meeting of its policy-making committee next Wednesday. The Fed's aim is to drive up the prices of long-term bonds, which in turn would push down long-term interest rates. It hopes that would spur more investment and spending and liven up the recovery. But officials want to avoid the "shock and awe" style used during the crisis in favor of an approach that allows them to adjust their policy . . .


Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's push to restart the bond-buying program—a form of monetary stimulus known as quantitative easing—has been greeted with deep skepticism among some of his colleagues.
In some of his strongest words yet, Thomas Hoenig, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, said Monday that more expansive monetary policy was a "bargain with the devil."

. . .


Investors already expect Fed action. Stock prices have rallied since Mr. Bernanke broached the idea of bond buying in late August. But investors and analysts are divided on whether the gambit will work.


. . .
Investors are on edge about how the Fed will proceed. On the one hand, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen 12% since Mr. Bernanke began hinting about buying more bonds two months ago, a welcome rise inside the Fed.
But commodities prices are also soaring, with copper, gold and oil prices rising 16%, 8.1% and 13% respectively. That could portend more inflation than the Fed wants. At the same time, the dollar has slid nearly 10% against the euro; that could help U.S. exports, but it creates tensions with trading partners.

So, if the folks on this board can't decide if QE2 will work, it sounds like we're in good company. The timing of the upcoming Fed announcement is interesting--if it is made "next Wednesday", that would be 3 Nov, the same market day that the election results are known in the US. It'll make it difficult to know if any market surges or drops are due to the election or the Fed announcement. A lot of folks will doubtless find that convenient.

 

[Gone4Good]

A lot of folks will doubtless find that convenient.

A 12% increase in equities, 10% drop in the dollar, a double digit increase in commodity prices, a 50bp increase in inflation expectations (~30%), . . .

How much of a market reaction were you looking for? It seems to me, the market has spoken and QE2 is doing exactly what it is supposed to do.

 

[samclem]

A 12% increase in equities, 10% drop in the dollar, a double digit increase in commodity prices, a 50bp increase in inflation expectations (~30%), . . .

How much of a market reaction were you looking for?

Reaction to what--that's the point. If on market close on 3 Nov the S&P is up (or down) 100 points, is it in reaction to the Fed announcement, or in reaction to the election results ("better" or "worse" than market expectations)? We can bet there'll be plenty of spin from all concerned.

 

[Gone4Good]

Reaction to what--that's the point. If on market close on 3 Nov the S&P is up (or down) 100 points, is it in reaction to the Fed announcement, or in reaction to the election results ("better" or "worse" than market expectations)? We can bet there'll be plenty of spin from all concerned.

I guess my point was, the market has already reacted to QE2, and pretty significantly at that. So far, the market is doing exactly what policy makers want. Not just the equity market, but the bond markets and currency markets too. I suspect any reaction on Nov. 3 will be of the "buy on the rumor, sell on the news" variety. Not a lot of information content to be had there.

 

[obgyn65]

I have no clue, but still voted "The Fed will not succeed and we will fall back into another recession" !

 

[MichaelB]

Betcha that uncertainty will miraculously evaporate after the election...

I'll take that bet.

 

[HFWR]

I'll take that bet.

I don't think "real" uncertainty will disappear, just the scripted variety...

Now turn to page 98 in your hymnal, and let's sing...

 

[Gone4Good]

What would Milton Friedman do?

 

[Independent]

What would Milton Friedman do?

Interesting read, thanks.