Statement Tracker
The above image from the Wall Street Journal Statement Tracker.
#Fed Chairman Powell has used the word “patient” three times so far, and we’re only 4 minutes into his press conference.
— Harriet Torry (@HarrietTorry) March 20, 2019
BREAKING: Fed now predicts ZERO rate hikes in 2019 (and only 1 in 2020).
Today the Fed:
-Cut its 2019 GDP forecast to 2.1% (down from 2.3%)
-Cut its 2019 rate hikes to 0 (down from 2)
-Said it will end balance sheet runoff in September (and start slowing in May)#Fed #economy— Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) March 20, 2019
Bond yields collapse. I will have some charts in just a bit. The statement revisions are substantial, but not massive. The Dot Plot change was massive.
Dot Plot December 2018
That’s quite a change. Note in particular the Fantasyland projections for 2020 and 2021.
Powell: ‘A Great Time for Us to Be Patient’
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has already fielded a series of questions trying to pin him down on whether, and in which direction, the Fed is inclined to adjust policy. But he’s clearly not planning to provide much guidance on that question today.
“Data we’re seeing are not currently sending a signal,” of needing to move in either direction. It’s “a great time for us to be patient,” Mr. Powell said.
The above from Federal Reserve Interest-Rate Decision—Live Analysis.
Inversions are now massive. Some charts coming up shortly.
Meanwhile, here is the pun of the day question.
Is it fair to say the Fed governors are “dotty”? https://t.co/8DuR9XCO3a
— John Lounsbury (@jlounsbury59) March 20, 2019
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Balance sheet reduction on hold I believe
Seven years of ZIRP, followed by three years of tightening and we only made it to 2.25%. Pretty pathetic.
In late 2008 they were able to cut from 5.25 to 1%, then two months later all the way to zero. Looks like the Fed can only take a mini-bazooka into battle this time.
They’ll just make up some other way to steal by debasement, whatever little of value productive people have left.
Only until September. So that means that a $3.5 Trillion balance sheet is now “as good as it gets”. FUBAR.
The Fed is FUBAR.
Are they still reducing the balance sheet?
When the theft gets tough, the thieves get thievin’
We are headed back to ZIRP by 2022. No way the debt can be refinanced unless it is at near 0.
I think that’s called Japanification.