Washington politicians, Treasury officials and Federal Reserve bankers ought to think twice about further leveraging the U.S. Economy. Bailouts and Government subsidies are not the solution to building a robust free market economy (nor to winning elections). What do we have to show for the massive debt issuance that takes place each year? Moral hazard … Continue reading Diminishing Public Debt Returns
Tag: public debt
Fiscal Credit Crunch
More important than any "credit crunch" that may occur as a result of banks tightening credit (you can be sure the banks are tightening regardless of what the Fed may do regarding rates), is the self-imposed fiscal credit crunch that will occur as interest expense on the public debt begins to crowd out discretionary spending … Continue reading Fiscal Credit Crunch
Price Inflation Persists. Now What?
Core CPI accelerated month-to-month to 0.5% (from 0.4% in January), as "Shelter" accelerated to 0.8%. Our view is that the Fed will continue to hike rates but may slow the pace of QT, particularly as it relates to Treasuries. The Fed says it will maintain interest rate hikes as the Banking sector stumbles. More importantly, … Continue reading Price Inflation Persists. Now What?
Debt Crisis
The debt crisis is America's greatest threat. Not China. Not nuclear war. Not identity politics. Larger than the U.S. Economy and growing. Public Debt outstanding is approximately $31.4 trillion, significantly larger than the U.S. economy as fiscal spending far outpaces Real GDP growth. Public Debt outstanding will almost certainly continue to grow as fiscal deficits … Continue reading Debt Crisis
The Looming Treasury Debt Bomb
Why Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen issued short and intermediate-term Treasury securities (Bills and Notes) rather than Bonds when the Fed Funds Rate was at zero percent we will never know. We are now paying the price as the Public Debt rolls over at higher rates. See table below. Treasury Bills: T-Bills can have a maturity … Continue reading The Looming Treasury Debt Bomb
The $250 Billion Spending Bill Portends More Money Printing & Low Rates
The $250 billion Semiconductor Spending Bill (United States Innovation and Competition Act), means the Fed will be printing money, expanding its balance sheet and maintaining low interest rates in order to keep the gravy train running while the fiscal deficit expands and public debt outstanding grows. This is a recipe for more inflation, not less … Continue reading The $250 Billion Spending Bill Portends More Money Printing & Low Rates
CPI Will Persist Above The Fed’s Target
Inflation as measured by the CPI will persist above the Fed's target rate of 2% over the long-term. Why? Because as Milton Friedman said: "Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon in the sense that it is and can be produced only by a more rapid increase in the quantity of money than in … Continue reading CPI Will Persist Above The Fed’s Target
The U.S. Economy Is Long-Term Fragile
We do not believe that investors fully appreciate how fragile the U.S. economy is. Our view is that the U.S. economy is in a recession and that this period will be followed by long-term muted growth given: 1.) the enormous U.S. Government debt load ($30.4 trillion), 2.) persistent price inflation, 3.) a consumption-driven economy rather … Continue reading The U.S. Economy Is Long-Term Fragile
The Fed Will Reset Its 2% Inflation Target
Our view is that the Fed will reset its 2% inflation target approximately one year from now if it wants to salvage the last vestiges of its credibility. While April's CPI number may come down some due to the retreat in the price of oil, we could continue to see core inflation march higher for … Continue reading The Fed Will Reset Its 2% Inflation Target
Fed Spin and U.S. Jobs
Federal Reserve officials tout the U.S. economy's strength as the reason why Fed tightening will not tip the economy into recession. The unemployment rate is the preferred metric of Fed officials who are spinning the tale of a strong economy. We provide an alternative. The Fed is expert at one thing - pulling the wool … Continue reading Fed Spin and U.S. Jobs
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