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FED to First Base, Other Central Banks Miles Behind

Written by Ian Reynolds | Feb 4, 2023 11:48:00 PM

Fed to First Base

Powell mentioning disinflationary forces means the FED's at first base i.e. they think that most of the work has been done. But why do they think that and how does that compare with the other CBs?

Legendary investor Stanley Druckenmiller

1) Once inflation gets above 5%, it’s never come down unless the Fed Funds rate is higher than the CPI (consumer price index).

2) Once inflation gets above 5%, it’s never been tamed without a recession.

[US] Currently Fed Funds are 4.5 - 4.75% with YoY Core PCE 4.4% so yes at least for now first base so they can afford to wait and see.

[AUS] Cash rate is 3.1% with Trimmed Mean CPI (YoY) 6.9%. A gap of 3.8% to be closed.

[EU] Short rates 3%, YoY CPI 8%, difference 5%

[UK] Base rates 4%, YoY CPI 10.5 %, difference 6.5%

[JAP] Short rates -0.1%, Core Inflation Rate (YoY) 4%. Difference 4.1%

Central Banks Back With A Vengeance

 
 

 

 
 
Reserve Bank of Australia Next on Tuesday 7 Feb 2023

The New Disinflationary World (is that true?)

A big assumption in markets is that CPI is coming down, and fast. In the US there has been some confimation.

But 2 big shocks have happened in the past 2 weeks.

It started with the shock Aussie trimmed mean CPI

Trimmed Mean YoY CPI 6.9%

Then the canary in the mine in Spain

YoY Spain CPI Stuns at 5.8%

The macro guys were sooooo certain Spanish CPI would come down.

What next? Big currency movements?

AUSTRALIA

AUD USD Rejects Double Top at 0.7140

Chalmers, 6,000 Words of BS

Australia’s new Treasurer is youngish and has a new approach. I like Chalmers but he's an academic. And he's not listening. UK Prime Minister Truss wasn't listening either.

Danger for Australia

Dr Chalmers has flagged plans for the government to collaborate and co-invest with business and investment funds – including superannuation – to address the clean energy transition, housing affordability, disability support, aged care and education.

He is working on plans to attract banks and superannuation funds to set up a social impact investing fund in the May federal budget to tackle “entrenched disadvantage”.

He wrote 6,000 words for The Australian Financial Revue. There's no legislation yet but business, super funds are all pushing back on this.

Now is not the time for an academic experiment with financial markets.

 

  1. Australian retail sales slump in December in sign cost of living crisis is starting to bite
  2. Costello Warns On Mixing Capitalism's Objectives

 

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