And financial markets might not co-operate with Warsh’s views. The problem with lowering the federal funds rate further from here, when the economy is already growing rapidly, is that it would increase the risk of financial instability, specifically a melt-up in the stock market that could be followed by a meltdown. Lowering the federal funds rate would further weaken the dollar, potentially reviving inflation and pushing bond yields higher.
Furthermore, at his likely first meeting as FOMC chair on June 16-17, the majority of Warsh’s colleagues on the committee might not co-operate in backing lower interest rates if inflation remains persistently above the Fed’s 2.0 per cent target. The US economy is likely to be booming then thanks to the fiscal stimulus provided by higher tax refunds in the coming months, resulting from legislation last year. Warsh could be one of the few dovish dissenters at his first FOMC meeting.
Economist & Investor | US NIIP at -$27.61 trillion (89% of GDP) | € at 2.5-3 $ by 2035 | US Assets < US Liabilities | US Net Worth < 0
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