Could it be more about where the banks want to go versus where traders think the Fed wants to go?

Over the weekend, I spoke to my contacts in the banking industry trying to get a feel for banker sentiments on the Fed’s interest rate policy. The sentiments boiled down to the banks taking whatever the Fed decides in stride. As one contact put it, it’s about the money and the banks will take what … Continue reading Could it be more about where the banks want to go versus where traders think the Fed wants to go?

It is less about political interference with the Fed and more about the degree of interference.

There is ongoing concern of a threat by the Executive Branch to the independence of the Federal Reserve System, specifically influence by the Executive Office of the President on the decisions made by the Federal Open Market Committee on monetary policy. I do not think the issue is political threats to the independence of the … Continue reading It is less about political interference with the Fed and more about the degree of interference.

Time to discount effects of Trump’s call for a Powell removal on EUR/USD

From my trading desk: A little dollar strengthening from 5:00 am to 9:00 am, then … From 5:00 am to 9:00 am, I saw dollar strengthening based on the decreasing price of the EUR/USD as reported on the NADEX. The price went from 1.15424 to 1.15354. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released its balance … Continue reading Time to discount effects of Trump’s call for a Powell removal on EUR/USD

U.S.-Eastern Caribbean Interbank Market as of 1:00 pm AST: Thoughts on capturing legal risks in interest rates …

What I’m reading today: A Lawyer’s Perspective on U.S. Payment System Evolution and Money in the Digital Age. Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. In 2022, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System published a paper authored by Jess Cheng and Joseph Torregrossa discussing the legal underpinnings of the payment … Continue reading U.S.-Eastern Caribbean Interbank Market as of 1:00 pm AST: Thoughts on capturing legal risks in interest rates …

U.S.-Eastern Caribbean FX, Interbank, and Money Markets as of 8:34 PM AST

Foreign exchange per the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. EUR/USD=1.0872 GBP/USD=1.2917 USD/JPY=148.5100 Administered rates per the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Discount Window: 4.50% Effective Federal Funds Rate: 4.33% Interest on Reserve Balances: 4.40% Overnight Reverse Repurchase Facility Rate: 4.25% Reference Rates per the Federal Reserve Bank of New … Continue reading U.S.-Eastern Caribbean FX, Interbank, and Money Markets as of 8:34 PM AST

Currency and money markets news scan: Massie wants to end the Fed. That is low-hanging fruit.

The takeaway: Massie wants to end the Fed. That is low-hanging fruit. The Federal Reserve again finds itself as the political football for a congressman, this time in the name of U.S. Representative Thomas Massie. The Kentucky congressman today announced the introduction of HR 1846, the Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act. The Act would abolish … Continue reading Currency and money markets news scan: Massie wants to end the Fed. That is low-hanging fruit.

Interbank market news scan: On interest rates, traders be advised that Mr. Trump is out of his lane

Yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he would demand that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System lower interest rates. Mr. Trump’s off the cuff remarks reminded me of a scene from “Air Force One” where Harrison Ford’s character during a speech made in a central Asian country shared a position on … Continue reading Interbank market news scan: On interest rates, traders be advised that Mr. Trump is out of his lane

Interbank market news scan: Trump makes an inflation promise that he can’t keep.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump promised today during his inaugural address that he would address the levels of inflation brought on by government overspending and high energy costs. He offered as a solution the old mantra, “Drill, baby, drill” implying that increases in the supply of American extracted and processed oil and gas would increase … Continue reading Interbank market news scan: Trump makes an inflation promise that he can’t keep.