We know the what but still not the when

By Peter Boockvar - May 18th, 2011, 2:00PM

The minutes from the Apr 26-27 FOMC meeting focused a lot on the exit strategy of its current extraordinary policy BUT the key question that was not answered and not really discussed was WHEN as they said “the 1st key issue was the extent to which the Committee would want to tighten policy, AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME…” The first step, when it happens, would be the halt to the reinvestment payments of principal on agency paper and Treasuries but they said specifically that they don’t know yet when this will happen. Bottom line, they know the party has to end at some point soon but there is no time yet on when. Their continued concerns with growth and belief that notwithstanding the rise in commodity prices and inflation readings, has them still unsure when to proceed with the unwind. Mark this down as my personal guarantee, the unwind won’t be a pretty, smooth process and is potentially going to be highly disruptive just as taking away heroin from an addict is messy (from what I’ve read).

PERMALINK
Category: MacroNotes.

Comments

Please use the comments to demonstrate your own ignorance, unfamiliarity with empirical data, ability to repeat discredited memes, and lack of respect for scientific knowledge. Also, be sure to create straw men and argue against things I have neither said nor even implied. Any irrelevancies you can mention will also be appreciated. Lastly, kindly forgo all civility in your discourse . . . you are, after all, anonymous.

One Response to “We know the what but still not the when”

Patagonia Says:
May 18th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Just to say, I really enjoy your blog.

I agree, the end of the (endless new ) debt party will be very unpleasant. As that, there is a strong incentive for the FED et. al to delay the inevitable.

For more reading on the effects of heroin addiction – I highly recommend – the book

The making of Christiane F – very old, but still very sobering. (especially highlighting the difficulties of withdrawal and the incentives for the addicted to avoid it at almost all costs)