Right now, it’s basically a case of the Fed versus the economy. You might say, “Wait a second. Isn’t the Fed supposed to help the economy?”
Well, not exactly. They may want to help the economy, but helping the economy actually isn’t job one. Job one is helping the banks. The Fed was essentially created to prop up the banking system and prevent bank runs. Everything else it tries to accomplish, such as price stability and maximum employment, comes second. So it’s not clear that the Fed’s always aligned with the best interests of the economy. People don’t realize that, but it’s important to keep in mind.
Everyone knows the Fed’s raising interest rates right now. But which rates? The rate that the Fed actually raises is called the fed funds target rate. And what is that?
That’s the rate at which banks lend to each other to meet their reserve requirements on an overnight basis. Fed funds are amounts that banks lend to each other to meet overnight reserve requirements.
It’s an extremely short-term rate. The Fed targets that rate as a way to control the money supply and perhaps tweak inflation or achieve other economic goals.
THE FED IS TARGETING A RATE THAT NO LONGER EXISTS
I don’t want to get into the mechanics of the banking system, but here’s the essential point I want to make: There hasn’t been a real fed funds market for about 12 or 13 years, ever since the Fed began flooding the system with money during the Great Financial Crisis. Today, reserves are close to an all-time high. In other words, the banks have excess reserves. Their actual reserves are multiple trillions of dollars in excess of the requirement. So there is no shortage of reserves.
Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av Indian Economy & Market.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av Indian Economy & Market.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
WORLD DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2024 THE MIDDLE-INCOME TRAP
A World Bank report titled 'World Development Report 2024: The Middle-Income Trap' indicates that India may take up to 75 years to attain just a quarter of the United States' per capita income. The insights in the report provides a useful reality check for India's ambitious goals, such as becoming a developed economy by 2047 or reaching a $5 trillion economy within the next three years.
IN CONVERSATION: "We are working with a Vision 2035. I'm sure within next 5 years we will be ranking among the Fortune 500 companies.”
Sudarshan Pharma Industries Ltd., led by its promoters, Mr. Hemal V. Mehta, a chemical engineer, and Mr. Sachin V. Mehta, has established a strong foundation in specialty chemicals and bulk drugs. Their relentless enthusiasm is visible when they speak. Indian Economy & Market reached out, to piece together the company's achievements and new initiatives in detail.
Sudarshan Pharma Industries Ltd. A MULTIBAGGER IN MAKING
Sudarshan Pharma Industries Ltd. operates across various sectors in both the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, with a focus on specialty chemicals and intermediates, which find applications in Indian Le pharmaceuticals, paints, food products, and adhesives.
MUTUAL FUND LITE OR MF LIT PROMISING PROGRESS FOR INVESTORS
The SEBI has streamlined rules for passively managed schemes to have the impact of letting more players in the mutual fund ecosystem and offering diversified, low-risk investment options to retail investors. It would increase market liquidity and attract participation from old as well as new Asset Management Companies (AMCs). Shivanand Pandit feels that MF Lite is going to democratize investment opportunities in the Indian financial market.
GLOBALISM, FREEDOM & DEMOCRACY DO NOT MIX
The world today is packed with wealthy institutions and individuals that stand in revolt against the ideas of freedom and democracy. They do not like the idea of geographically constrained states with zones of juridical power.
BRICS Member States Ready to Dethrone Dollar
AS the US weaponises the dollar in the Russian and Iranian sanctions, there is increasing desire by other developing countries to seek alternative currencies for trade, investment, and reserves, as well as developing alternative multilateral clearance systems outside of SWIFT.
7 BEST PHARMA COMPANIES
The pharmaceutical industry in India is expected to reach $65 Bn by end of 2024 and to $130 Bn by 2030. India is a major exporter of Pharmaceuticals, with over 200+ countries served by Indian pharma exports. While Nifty's performance has been lackluster over the past month, several pharmaceutical stocks have shown resilience.
NEW INVESTMENT PRODUCT CATEGORY IS SEBI'S LATEST MOVE COMMENDABLE?
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced a consultation paper proposing a new investment product category aimed at addressing a specific market need. This proposed asset class would offer investment options that sit between mutual funds (MFS) and PMS, filling a gap and providing greater flexibility in portfolio management. The new investment vehicle is designed for investors who are prepared to take on riskier market positions but find PMS schemes or AIFs out of reach. SEBI after reviewing the feedback and finalizing the regulations through stakeholder discussions, may issue the final regulations.
DECODING THE CHINA MYTH
Myths die hard. Among these is the great myth that China's poised to take over the world. Here, James Rickards debunks that myth.
What Is In Store For The Indian Economy?
Until the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when the Bharatiya Janata Party secured 282 seats and Narendra Modi ascended to power, India experienced 21 years of coalition governments. A decade later, the BJP holds 240 seats in the Lok Sabha, and India is once again governed by a coalition. Fitch has indicated that coalition politics and a weakened mandate for the NDA could hinder the passage of ambitious reform legislation. It raises the question: Do coalition governments impede the economic reform agenda?