The Full Employment Act. Ignored by Trump and Harris alike…

When Congress passed into law the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act of 1978, it called on the Congress, the President, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to coordinate on economic policy for the purpose of battling inflation and unemployment and securing economic growth. I believe this means that when the president proposes her goals and targets for the economy that she is able to persuade fiscal and monetary policy makers to reconcile their goals with hers. Continue reading The Full Employment Act. Ignored by Trump and Harris alike…

In the immediate term, the next president will have to think about who the next Fed chair will be.

It is tough to nail down Ms. Harris’ view on the currency and interest rates since Mr. Biden’s announcement three days ago that he was discontinuing his campaign for a second term. So far, her outreach efforts have included a couple speeches to black sororities, a meet and greet with her campaign staff in Wilmington, … Continue reading In the immediate term, the next president will have to think about who the next Fed chair will be.

My quick email to Nikema Williams, Raphael Warnock, and David Scott regarding Powell’s upcoming testimony.

This morning, I sent U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and U.S. Representatives Nikema Williams and David Scott an email message about Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell’s upcoming testimony to Congress. He appears tomorrow before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and on Wednesday before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services. “Looking … Continue reading My quick email to Nikema Williams, Raphael Warnock, and David Scott regarding Powell’s upcoming testimony.

Interbank market news scan: Kugler continues the Fed Speak on inflation.

Today, Federal Reserve System governor Adriana D. Kugler reiterated in remarks what we have been hearing from other Federal Reserve Board members: that inflation is still too high, even given the progress on lowering it. Governor Kugler pointed out that inflation is moving down slowly and that easing rates is possible later this year. Like … Continue reading Interbank market news scan: Kugler continues the Fed Speak on inflation.

Retail foreign exchange dealer news scan: Federal Reserve administered and referenced rates as of 8:00 pm EST.

Effective Federal Funds Rate: 5.33% Overnight Bank Funding Rate: 5.32% Secured Overnight Financing Rate: 5.31% Broad General Collateral Rate: 5.30% Tri-Party General Collateral Rate: 5.30% Interest on Reserve Balances: 5.40% Discount Window: 5.50% EUR/USD=7.8118 USD/JPY=157.2800 GBP/USD=1.2685 AUD/USD=0.6617 Sources: Board of Governors-Federal Reserve System. Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Continue reading Retail foreign exchange dealer news scan: Federal Reserve administered and referenced rates as of 8:00 pm EST.

One Fed governor and one Fed bank president emphasize caution on rates ….

The takeaway … Loretta Mester, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland shared with CNBC her view that while the recent consumer price index print for October 2023 was positive, the Federal Reserve System was not going to react to one data release. Inflation in October, as measured by the … Continue reading One Fed governor and one Fed bank president emphasize caution on rates ….

Jerome Powell simply chooses not to opine on fiscal policy. Congress chooses not to read the Fed’s reports.

The takeaway … Two times a year, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System heads up to Capitol Hill to deliver a semi-annual report on the state of U.S. monetary policy to both chambers of Congress. You can almost guarantee that at least two representatives or two senators will ask … Continue reading Jerome Powell simply chooses not to opine on fiscal policy. Congress chooses not to read the Fed’s reports.

Federal Reserve’s true dual mandate: No central bank in its right mind wants to reduce inflation.

The takeaway … I like to take a common man approach to understanding what is happening at the Federal Reserve, at least I try to. We hear all the academic and political explanations for why the Federal Reserve System exists, how it came about, etcetera, etcetera. Last night during the GOP presidential primary debates held … Continue reading Federal Reserve’s true dual mandate: No central bank in its right mind wants to reduce inflation.

Why hasn’t Biden passed off to the Fed the blame for economic uncertainty?

The takeaway … The election is one year away, and President Joe Biden has some work to do. According to a The New York Times/Sienna College poll, Mr Biden is losing to Donald Trump in five of six pivotal states. Should forecasts hold, Mr Trump could very well carry the Electoral College by at least … Continue reading Why hasn’t Biden passed off to the Fed the blame for economic uncertainty?