Lates News

The Federal Reserve will announce its interest rate decision for the first time under new chairman Kevin Wash on Wednesday. What he says, or doesn't say, will provide clues to the market about the communication changes he promised for the Fed. Market observers will closely monitor changes in the wording of the post-meeting statement and whether the new chairman will make any stylistic adjustments. They also want to know if Wash intends to continue the post-meeting press conference. In addition, it is expected that Wash will push for various reforms he has promised, including reducing the Fed's balance sheet to refocus the Fed on monetary policy. James Grant, editor of "Grant's Interest Rate Observer," believes that Wash should confront the less favorable aspects of the Fed's financial condition and clean them up. He also suggests that some gold should be stored in the Fed's underground vault to make it look more respectable. The Fed currently does not hold any gold. Grant also stated that if the Treasury Department no longer foots the bill for the Fed's losses, the Fed would not be able to continue operating as it is actually heavily in debt. Upon careful examination, it can be seen that the Fed's losses on fixed-income assets and bonds far exceed the amount listed on its equity balance sheet.