Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By BARRACUDA (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Peeking Into Ben Bernanke’s Bag Of Unconventional Monetary Weapons

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Jul. 13 2011 -

Helicopters are airborne

We saw the Fed liquefy the world in ’09 including non-member foreign banks over which they have little influence or authority. And now we have learned that they secretly loaned huge amounts to the primary dealers in the aftermath of the financial crisis. Then we saw them intervene again with the late August, 2010 announcement and subsequent June, 2011 completion of QE2. During the latter intervention, the Fed essentially monetized much of the U.S. budget deficit.

Given the fact that the presidential election cycle has already begun, we strongly suspect that the weakening economy and upward pressure on interest rates due to oversupply will cause further Fed intervention, even if it isn’t called QE3. Bernanke said as much today before Congress.

Earlier, at his post-Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) press briefing, Bernanke indicated that if job growth falls below 80,000 per month, the Fed would likely intervene again. (Job growth has now been below 80,000 for two consecutive months!) So, “when” it comes (not “if”), what sort of intervention can we expect?

A look back at then Fed Governor Bernanke’s November 21, 2002 talk before the National Economists Club of Washington, D.C. entitled ‘Deflation: Making Sure ‘It’ Doesn’t Happen Here,’ gives us some clues. In that talk, he ostensibly outlined all of the tools available to the Fed if the overnight (Fed Funds) rate hit zero. After all, at the time of the speech, deflation wasn’t expected in the foreseeable future, so he would have no reason not to outline all the tools he could think of. I have outlined them below:

  • #1: Expand the scale of asset purchases;
  • #2: Expand the menu of assets the Fed buys.

Both QE1 and QE2 used these tools. In QE1, the Fed purchased non-traditional assets for its portfolio, including mortgage backed securities (MBS) and derivatives. In both QE1 and QE2, the “scale” of asset purchases was dramatically increased.

  • #3: A commitment to holding the overnight rate at zero for some specified period.

This tool is currently in practice with the Fed’s “extended period” language in the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes.

  • #4: Announcement of explicit ceilings on longer-maturity Treasury debt.

This isn’t new. The Fed did this in the 1940s and a version of it again in the 1960s. During a period of approximately 10 years ending with the Federal Reserve-Treasury Accord of 1951, the Fed “pegged” the long-term Treasury bond yield at 2.5%. And, during the Kennedy Administration, the Fed sold T-bills and purchased an equal amount of longer dated T-Notes in order to reduce long-term rates. Bernanke believes that the announced policy of pegging will cause arbitrageurs to keep yields near the announced peg, especially if the Fed intervenes several times to prove its commitment.M

ORE HERE



Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.