Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Fed, talks about the economy, and who saved it...
Read moreIt's Stimulus forever...
Read moreAt 2:30 pm this afternoon, Jerome Powell will hold a press conference. It's all part of the regular meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee.
Read moreReach into your wallet, and pull out a Dollar. Since 1914, it has been the official currency of the United States. And since 1971, when the US Note was discontinued, it has been the only currency in the US. Considered by most to be the most stable currency on the planet, it is also the World's reserve currency. Meaning that most international transactions are priced in US Dollars. Giving the US a tremendous advantage in all international trade. Stable, safe and secure: that's the US Dollar. Or is it?
Read moreToday, many remain concerned about the great concentration of wealth and influence that the Federal Reserve Board wields today. Beginning with the Great Financial Crisis of 2008, it has been the Fed which has become the chief weapon used to stave off recession. Almost over-night it has become accepted economic doctrine that the Fed's new strategy of “stimulating” the economy through vast purchases of financial assets would somehow translate into increased economic activity. And thereby stave off a recession or depression.
Read moreAnd so, when I was recently talking to a group of investors, it came as no surprise, that their basic question was: when will this disruption in the markets, be over? And why not? For over a decade, investors have become used to a market, which basically went in just one direction. Up.
Read moreBut there is another, much larger part of the financial markets. And that is the bond markets. You may be interested to know that at last measure the US Bond Market stood at just under $43 Trillion Dollars, nearly 50% larger than the stock market. And unlike the stock market, this number is likely understated. You see bonds are rallying right now. And the price of the bonds are hitting all time highs. Anyone in the bond market currently is quite happy.
Read moreWe all know that Stock Market Crashes are bad. Investor wealth is destroyed. People can end up on the Street, And the “Social Net” can be stretched to breaking. So why not have the government, or more specifically the Federal Reserve Bank, step in and buy stocks. That would support the markets and help avert a crash? It was a question that recently came up in a discussion between Janet Yellen, the recently retired Chairman of the Fed, and several Kansas City Bankers.
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