Fed’s stability report assesses life insurers
Over the last decade, life insurers increased the share of risky, illiquid assets on their balance sheets, according to the Federal Reserve's annual Financial Stability Report.
Federal Reserve
Rising interest rates will have diverse effects: Cerulli
The impact of higher inflation, and higher discount rates, will be less severe on insurance company general accounts than on endowments and foundations, which benefit from low rates, the...
Are Concerns over Growing Federal Government Debt Misplaced?
'Let’s put both affordability and solvency concerns to rest: the question is never whether Uncle Sam can spend more, but should he spend more,' writes our guest columnist Randall...
Is the Fed Put Gone Forever?
'The Fed has turned hawkish belatedly due to a policy error on inflation. But it will have to back off as asset prices decline, yield curve approaches inversion—a telltale...
Shadow-Boxing with the Fed
The Fed is giving mixed messages: Telling investors to relax while telling Congress to take fiscal action against the pandemic slump. Our guest columnist interprets the oracle.
Watching the Fed Watch Covid-19
The Fed's tea leaves are perplexing our guest columnist, an economist at the University of Oregon. Whether we see 'quantitative easing' may depend on how bad the pandemic resurges...
Federal Reserve issues FMOC statement
The Federal Open Market Committee 'decided to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 0.25% and expects it will be appropriate to maintain this...
‘Cacophony’ from the Fed: Duy
'The Fed-speak has been a tad cacophonous this week. Let’s try to cut through the noise,' writes economist Tim Duy of the U. of Oregon. But what is the...
Fed Puts Yield Curve Control on the Shelf
'The Fed remains focused on downside risks but as of yet is unwilling to act further to support the recovery. Maybe they won’t need to,' writes our guest columnist,...
Fed Frets Over Fiscal Cliff
'The Fed intends to maintain accommodative financial conditions for years,' writes our guest columnist, an economist at the University of Oregon.
Odds Favor Yield Curve Control
'A turn toward yield curve control doesn’t necessarily preclude the Fed from doing more quantitative easing. I expect they would use the tools in tandem,' writes our guest columnist,...
Bailouts Aside, the Fed Sees Red Ahead
'The outlook remained highly uncertain and most contacts were pessimistic about the potential pace of recovery,' the Federal Reserve's latest Beige Book said. Photo: Fed chairman Jerome Powell.
Did Adding Trump’s Name Slow the Stimulus Checks?
Yes, says our guest columnist. 'it’s demeaning to ask career professionals in places like IRS to devote their time and attention to promoting the president’s reelection,' he writes.
Why the World Has a Dollar Shortage, Despite Massive Fed Action
'The Federal Reserve can be criticized, and rightly so, for its monetary madness, but at least it is the only central bank that truly analyzes the global demand for...
Fed chairman promises to do ‘whatever it takes’
'A wave of unnecessary insolvencies could do long-term damage to the productive capacity of the economy. That’s a risk,' Fed chairman Jerome Powell (in photo) said Wednesday.
