US Politics Mega-thread - Page 6125

On November 09 2016 23:38 m4ini wrote:
Small question, since i'm not familiar with the process: if Michelle would chose to run for presidency, could she do it already in four years or is there a mandatory "pause" because she's married to a (soon to be) former president?

On November 09 2016 23:36 iPlaY.NettleS wrote:
Any word on whether the Fed still wants to raise rates in December?

Jefferies economist Sean Darby noted that in terms of possible problems for the economy going forward the "main risk is monetary policy uncertainty."

And the most striking uncertainty for some analysts is the political independence of the Fed itself, which has long been a key aspect of the central bank in order to not have monetary policy decisions influenced by ever-shifting political tides.

Now, some analysts say that independence may no longer be assured.

"Ultimately, [Trump's proposals] threaten to undermine global faith in the independence of the Federal Reserve and the geopolitical standing of the United States," said T Rowe Price chief US economist Alan Levenson in a note to clients Tuesday night.

Additionally, some analysts have questioned whether Fed Chair Janet Yellen will remain in her job under the new administration given Trump's pointed criticism of the central bank's policies and her leadership in the the past.

"The future of Janet Yellen’s chairmanship and the accommodative nature of Fed monetary policy are in doubt," said Edward Mills of FBR Capital Markets.

Deutsche Bank strategist George Saravelos agreed that the future of Yellen's job remains uncertain.

" E ven more importantly the market will be looking for confirmation that Chair Yellen will not resign," said Deutsche Bank strategist George Saravelos in a note to clients. "Trump has been particularly critical of her term so policy continuity will be particularly important."

On the other hand, Michael Feroli, economist at JPMorgan, wrote before the election on Tuesday that Yellen's resignation is unlikely. For one thing, Feroli noted that there is seemingly no way that Yellen could be fired by Trump.

The economist also said a Federal Reserve Chair resigning is unprecedented, but there is another political reason for Yellen to stay on. "Moreover, we don’t see a rationale for the apparently Democratic Yellen to give President Trump even more influence over the course of monetary and regulatory policy by immediately stepping down," wrote Feroli. "That said, we doubt she would stay on as Governor even after her term as Chair expires."

In the near term, analysts are also split on whether the Fed will raise rates in December. Market probabilities for a rate hike in December have fallen from 84% the day of the election to as low as 42% overnight according to Bloomberg data.

On the one hand, the market volatility following the election has convinced some that the Fed will be on hold.

Quentin Fitzsimmons, international bond manager at T Rowe Price, said that market uncertainty coming out of the election will cause the Fed and other central banks to wait for more clarity before adjusting policy.

"When faced with volatility central banks tend to kick the ball further into the long grass—so they may end and maybe deepen their easing cycles," said Fitzsimmons.

Saravelos agreed that a December rate hike is dead.

"When it comes to monetary policy, in the short term, it looks like a December rate hike is off the table," said the strategist.

David Kelly, chief global strategist at JPMorgan Funds, said that Trump's election at least lowers the chances of a hike. "The uncertainty and volatility following the U.S. election will, for now, reduce the probability of a Federal Reserve rate hike in December, although the Fed will want to leave its options open until it can assess the market and economic fallout from the election result," wrote Kelly.

On November 09 2016 23:39 farvacola wrote:

She could do it in four years, and there is already talk bubbling up to that effect.

On November 09 2016 23:40 zeo wrote:

Oh, there you are

On November 09 2016 23:43 m4ini wrote:


Personal view, she would destroy Trump. I actually believe she'd be a decent president, certainly better than what you got to chose from this election.

That being said, if she's smart, she won't run. And we know she's smart.