There are varying opinions as to the effect of yesterday’s ½% interest rate cut. The general view is that it is not a quick fix as MarketWatch noted:
Economists believe that the rate cut will not quickly cure the ailing economy. “Everyone wants a quick fix, but it takes time,” “said Mike Wallace, an economist with Action Economics.
…
But bringing rates lower right now might not help very much, analysts said, because the effective federal funds rate has already fallen to 1% because of a new Fed policy to pay banks interest on the excess reserves they deposit at the Fed.
“The fed funds rate is almost irrelevant,” Wallace said. “The easing has already taken place.”
But Glassman said that there are some benefits to cutting rates and the Fed must keep trying.
“As long as there are benefits they’ve got to keep trying,” he said.
The lower fed funds rate has helped marginally to unclog credit markets and restore some confidence in markets, but credit remains tight despite the Fed’s moves.
I agree that the rate cut will not have any effect on the consumer at all. Now that the Fed has used some more ammunition by lowering the Fed Funds rate aggressively to 1%, how much lower can they go? The accompanying statement clearly signaled that further cuts are possible. Hmm, can you really see a rate of zero percent?
Wall Street generally likes lower interest rates, because they support the bullish crowd—up to a point. Too low of a rate clearly signals that there are severe economic troubles ahead, which may be an encouragement for the bears to remain in charge.
Comments 4
What about people on fixed income – older people with CDs – their spending power is going down at the expense of supporting the gamblers in the markets. Thanks for your Blog Ulli – read it every day.
Anonymous,
You’re right; but at least CD rates are still reasonable high to get a decent return if that is your mode of operation.
Ulli…
I’m staying in short-term government bills and notes until the bear market shows signs of ending.
I sold a $84 put on SPY on the theory that it won’t sink that low by the time it expires. Just testing the waters with just one put.
Update on my Put:
I closed it out today at half of what I sold it for. Made a few bucks, but I’m basically out of the market until the recession runs its course.