Tuesday, January 22, 2008

3/4 Point Cut

"The surprise reduction in the federal funds rate from 4.25 down to 3.5 percent marked the biggest one-day rate move by the central bank since it cuts its discount rate by a full percentage point in December 1991."

Fed Statement:

"The Federal Open Market Committee has decided to lower its target for the federal funds rate 75 basis points to 3-1/2 percent.

The Committee took this action in view of a weakening of the economic outlook and increasing downside risks to growth. While strains in short-term funding markets have eased somewhat, broader financial market conditions have continued to deteriorate and credit has tightened further for some businesses and households. Moreover, incoming information indicates a deepening of the housing contraction as well as some softening in labor markets".
Will this work, or will rates eventually be cut to nearly nil?

3 comments:

Doug said...

I think another .5% cut is in store by spring, but it will likely stop there.

ChrisB said...

Bye, Bye Dollar. It was nice knowing you when you actually had some purchasing power.

Stealth4 said...

I called all my representatives today. I was mad - had to call somebody and b*****