Hidden Forces
Does the Fed Have Any Idea What It’s Doing? | Jeff Snider & Brent Johnson
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The current events confirm concerns about instability and weakness in the financial system, leading to increased pessimism and hedging in the market.
- The debate about the Fed's rate hike decision centers around whether it is driven by cluelessness or a method to slow down the economy.
- The eurodollar system remains crucial in facilitating global transactions and market demand for US dollars, making central bank digital currencies less imminent.
- The Federal Reserve's response to future economic challenges will depend on the changing dynamics of the real economy and market conditions, including potential rate cuts.
Deep dives
The Significance of Recent Weeks
The podcast episode discusses how recent events have confirmed the market's concerns about something going wrong in the banking system and monetary system. There is a belief that the current events are just the tip of the iceberg and indicate a broader issue of instability and weakness in the financial system. The markets have reacted to this by showing increased pessimism and expecting further signs of a deflationary outbreak. The market is hedging and the heavy action in hedging shows that there is still concern and worry in the market about what lies ahead.
The Fed's Rate Hike Decision and Criticism
The podcast explores speculation surrounding the Fed's rate hike decision and the criticism it has faced. There is a debate about whether the Fed's decision is driven by cluelessness or if there is a method to the madness. Some believe that the Fed is trying to slow down the economy by raising rates, while others think they are misguided and overly confident in their ability to manage the global economy. The conversation also highlights the inherent instability of the financial system and the unintended consequences that arise when trying to fix one problem, but causing other problems in the process.
The Role of the Eurodollar System
The episode discusses the importance and role of the eurodollar system in global transactions and its impact on the US dollar. It is emphasized that the eurodollar system is a decentralized network that has become indispensable in facilitating efficient and cost-effective transactions. Despite attempts by governments to promote alternative currencies, the market demand for US dollars remains strong, particularly in eurodollar transactions. The episode also dismisses the notion of imminent central bank digital currencies, stating that governments are not actively working on viable digital currencies and that the eurodollar system prevails due to its decentralized nature and market demand.
The Fed's Pivot and Monetary Response
The podcast explores the possibility of the Federal Reserve's pivot in response to changing economic conditions. While there is discussion about the Fed's intention to slow down the economy by raising rates, it is acknowledged that the Fed will pivot when the system demands it. There is an expectation that the market anticipates rate cuts in the future, as the market has already shown inverted curves and heavy hedging. The conversation delves into the political and personal motivations behind the Fed's actions, as well as the potential legacy risks for Fed Chairman Jay Powell. It is recognized that the Fed's response to future economic challenges will depend on the changing dynamics of the real economy and market conditions.
The Challenge of Liability Risk for Banks
Banks face more risk on the liability side of their balance sheets than on the asset side. The danger lies in a mismatch between assets and liabilities, which can lead to liquidity problems. Past crises have shown that liability-side issues can be more damaging than asset-side problems. The recent examples of Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse highlight the importance of protecting against liability risks and having adequate liquidity. The systemic nature of these risks means that even bigger banks with access to deposit funding may not be immune.
The Illusion of Safety and Managing Risks
The podcast episode explores the illusion of safety we often experience in life. Governments and institutions often aim to create a sense of security for individuals, whether it's related to financial stability or protection from external threats. However, history has shown that these assurances can sometimes backfire, leading to greater insecurity. Managing anxieties and risks is an integral part of life. While governments and institutions may try to mitigate risks, it's important to recognize that no one is entirely safe in an existential sense. Navigating uncertainties and maintaining resilience is crucial in an ever-changing world.
The Evolving Global Financial Landscape
The global financial landscape is undergoing significant changes, with banks, central banks, and governments adapting to new challenges and dynamics. The recent bailout of Credit Suisse highlights the complexities and interdependencies between national interests, multilateral cooperation, and financial instability. The evolving paradigm of government intervention in the economy raises questions about the future of global monetary systems. While there is no clear resolution in sight, the driving force behind these shifts is a recognition that the current system is not immune to crises, creating a need for alternative solutions, including private digital currencies. However, the transition to a new system may be a long-term process, requiring time, innovation, and market adoption.
In Episode 304 of Hidden Forces, Demetri shares the recording from a Live Q&A he hosted on Thursday, March 23rd with Brent Johnson and Jeff Snider. The three discussed the FOMC’s latest rate hike decision and if the Fed is indeed as clueless as Jeff Snider believes or if there is a method to the madness as Brent and Demetri seem to suggest. They also speculate about what is likely to come after the current crisis and if it will lead to the birth of a new financial and monetary order. How and over what timeframe that new order comes into being, the forces bringing it about, and what it means for various asset classes and economies are all topics that Jeff, Brent, and Demetri discuss.
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Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas
Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou
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Episode Recorded on 03/23/2023
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