CNN Money Writes: Fed minutes: Decision not to taper was a ‘close call’

Federal Reserve officials were torn on whether to continue their stimulus program at their last meeting in September, according to minutes released Wednesday.

At that meeting, the Fed surprised investors and economists, who were largely expecting the central bank to start reducing its $85 billion in monthly bond purchases — a gradual wind-down process that has come to be known as “tapering”.

The decision not to taper, was a ‘relatively close call’ for several members of the Fed’s policymaking committee, the minutes said.

What tipped the scale?

Read The Rest Of The Article Here

This is the most important news no one is talking about. Forget the Government shutdown. That situation will resolve itself shortly. The subject matter above is much, much, MUCH MORE important.

As I have mentioned before the only thing that is keeping the US Economy afloat is QE buying of Bonds to the tune of $85 Billion per month. That is the only thing keeping interest rates down and the economy humming along. Even thought the velocity of monthly QE impact is getting weaker and should dissipate itself soon either way, removing or tapering this stimulus will have immediate negative consequences on the US Economy and the financial markets.

Basically, the interest rates will shoot up, the economy will slow down drastically and shift into the recessionary environment. The stock market, the real estate market, car sales and the rest of the economy will decline substantially.

We are beginning to see cracks at the FED in terms of QE decision making process. That is significant because it is the first clear indication that at least some at the FED are ready to start tapering. Eventually they will. When they do all of the above will happen.

Please be aware that the stock market is a future discounting mechanism and as such will decline long before the FED announces anything. That is why looking for first cracks is so incredibly important. You have been warned.

Did you enjoy this article? If so, please share our blog with your friends as we try to get traction. Gratitude!!!

The Washington Post Writes: Federal Reserve considers explicit pledge: Low rates if inflation stays down

The Federal Reserve is leaning toward an explicit commitment to keep interest rates at rock-bottom levels, as long as inflation remains low.

The pledge would be an attempt to strengthen assurance that the central bank will not tap the brakes on the recovery until it is certain that the momentum can be sustained. The Fed already has vowed not to raise rates — a move that would slow economic growth — at least until the unemployment rate falls to 6.5 percent or inflation rises above 2.5 percent.

There are a couple of things in this article that drive me up the wall.

We are not in an inflationary environment, we are in a deflationary environment. The only reason you we are seeing inflation in certain parts of the economy is due to the FED printing a massive amounts of money ($85 Billion/monthly) and dumping it into the financial system by keeping interest rates artificially low. If that wasn’t happening we would already see clear signs of deflation.

The FED is punishing savers and true economic growth by keeping interest rates too low for far too long. All while developing significant economic imbalances that will have to be deflated at a later date. The situation is made worse by creating an environment where only people with access to cheap financing benefit. At the same time the US poverty rate is at all time high or close to 50 Million people.

The article assumes that the FED is in complete control of interest rates. At least for now everyone believes that. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. While the FED can influence the rates, it cannot control it. The market controls the rates.

This in return presents a trading opportunity for those who think otherwise. Eventually the interest rates will move independent of the FED and destroy the whole scheme in the process.

When will it happen?

Actually, it might be already happening as interest rates already up 100% over the last 12 months. Is the FED finally losing control? I hope so. In the long run it would be great for the US Economy.

Did you enjoy this article? If so, please share our blog with your friends as we try to get traction. Gratitude!!!