Topic: Central Banking

Central Banking, Economic Education, Monetary Policy

Average Inflation Targeting Risks Further Politicizing the Fed

– October 15, 2020

“Perhaps the Fed’s move to average inflation targeting won’t make much of a difference. But it nonetheless risks further politicizing the Fed. To the extent that it means the Fed will engage in even more credit allocation and Congress will take a more active role in guiding those credit allocation discussions, there is cause for concern.” ~ Nicolás Cachanosky

Authoritarianism, Central Banking, Economic Education

Professor Sunetra Gupta on the Perils of Disease Modelling

– October 9, 2020

What’s extraordinary to consider is how the principles she presents here apply equally to economics, sociology, history, and political theory. Gupta writes here like the F.A. Hayek of epidemiology. But the topic of the day is public health and here are her extraordinary observations, ending in a grave warning.

Central Banking, Government, Monetary Policy

Debt or Taxes

– September 30, 2020

“At the present juncture, developed country government bond yields are more likely to fall than rise. Fiscal spending will be financed by deferred taxation, the repayment of today’s (and probably tomorrow’s) obligations will be bequeathed to our children and grandchildren. Digital taxes, taxation on wealth and financial transaction fees may creep higher at the margins, along with higher taxes on higher earners, but debt is the least painful solution to the fiscal needs of the present.” ~ Colin Lloyd

Central Banking, Monetary Policy, Sound Money Project

The Fed Can Generate Higher Inflation

– September 24, 2020

“A lack of concern for fiscal discipline by both the U.S. Treasury Secretary and a call for persistent, near zero rates by the Chairman of the Federal Reserve suggests that the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury will act in concert to make the new inflation target a reality. It is not a question of whether the inflation rate will pass 2 percent, but when.” ~ James L. Caton

Central Banking, Inflation, Monetary Policy

Meet the New Fed, Same as the Old Fed: Jerome Powell’s Inflation Revelation Falls Flat

– September 9, 2020

“If it’s serious about a 2% inflation target, the Fed will have to do better than a pep rally. We were promised meaningful change; what we got was the same old song and dance.” ~ Phillip W. Magness & Alexander W. Salter

Central Banking, Crisis, Monetary Policy

The Fed’s Policy Shift to Let Inflation Rip Higher Is Deeply Flawed

– September 8, 2020

“It’s hard to see the Fed achieving higher inflation, given its recent failure in this matter. A quick look at the monthly consumer price index data over the last decade shows that for the vast majority of the period, inflation was well below 2%. Or put another way, despite all the money printing by the Fed and extended periods of low interest rates, the Fed hasn’t hit its targets in any sustainable way.” ~ Simon Constable

Central Banking, Economic Education, Monetary Policy

Average Inflation Targeting and Expectations

– September 6, 2020

“If credible and clearly articulated, an average inflation targeting regime would provide a better anchor for inflation expectations than a period-by-period inflation targeting regime. Alas, the Fed’s new policy strategy has not been clearly articulated, leaving short-run inflation expectations unanchored.” ~ William J. Luther

Central Banking, Economic Education, Monetary Policy

Raising Inflation Expectations by Targeting the Average Rate of Inflation

– September 3, 2020

“The Federal Reserve has increased its commitment to offset a fall in the total level of expenditures in response to an economic downturn. Absent a systematic disruption in the structure of international monetary arrangements or another factor that cannot be offset by monetary policy, the FOMC will ensure that downturns are met with accommodation from monetary policy.” ~ James L. Caton

Central Banking, Crisis, Monetary Policy

The Fed Needs a Shed

– August 28, 2020

“The crisis period is now behind us. The need for these facilities, if ever there was one, is now past. It’s time to put away the emergency lending tools.” ~ Thomas L. Hogan

Authoritarianism, Central Banking, Crisis

Governments Are Faking It, and Copying Each Other

– August 20, 2020

“A mystery for months is how it is that so many governments in so many different places on earth could have adopted the same or very similar preposterous policies, no matter the threat level of the virus, and without firm evidence that interventions had any hope of being effective.” ~ Jeffrey Tucker

Central Banking, Crisis, Monetary Policy

Can the Fed Reduce Inequality?

– August 18, 2020

“If the Fed aims to reduce inequality, it should use policies that are known to be effective. There is little scope for affecting inequality with monetary policy. Reducing banks’ regulatory burden reduces inequality by improving the lives of Americans with the lowest incomes.” ~ Thomas L. Hogan

Central Banking, Crisis, Monetary Policy

ECB: On the Credit Wave towards Zombification

– August 17, 2020

“As in the planned economies, negative productivity gains and painful prosperity losses will be unavoidable. Because productivity gains are the basis for real wage increases, the benign long-term credit conditions of the ECB increasingly become a burden for the young people in Europe.” ~ Gunther Schnabl & Nils Sonnerberg