--%>

The Fed can control the Fed funds rate

Question:

Hubbard argues that the Fed can control the Fed funds rate, but the interest rate that is important for the economy is a longer-term real rate of interest.   How much control does the Fed have over this longer real rate

Answer:

It is true that the Fed can control the short term interest rates through its monetary policy. However, the long term interest rates are a resultant of mainly variables which make the control of Fed over it difficult. Long term interest rates are formed by expectation which builds up over the period of time. Also, an external shock can cause investors to shift their money from short term to long term bonds or vice-versa which will affect both type of interest rate. Fed, in that case, can control the short run interest rate by monetary policy changes, but the long term rates will depend upon how the investors perceive that monetary change. Based upon their perception and expectations about the future, they decide their investment decisions which decide the long term interest rates.

 

   Related Questions in Macroeconomics

  • Q : Is sale of scooter is national income

    Describe whether the sale of old scooter is comprised in national income?

  • Q : Physical quality of life index DISCUSS

    DISCUSS the experience of high GNP countries and low GNP with regard to PQLI.

  • Q : Shifting of market problem When this

    When this market starts in equilibrium at point e on S0D0 and then young American families rousingly “inherit” furniture as their baby-boomer parents shift into smaller retirement homes, then this market will tend to shift in the direction of: (i) point i.

  • Q : In which of these two statements

    "In corn market, demand often exceeds supply and supply sometimes exceeds demand." "The price of corn rises and falls in response to changes in supply and demand."

  • Q : Why is tax not a capital receipt

    Illustrate, why is tax not a capital receipt?

  • Q : Would inflation targeting be a good

    Question: Why might it be difficult for the Fed to formally adopt inflation targeting?  Would inflation targeting be a good policy for the Fed in the present economic environment?

    Q : Sources of demand for foreign currency

    State main sources of demand for foreign currency? Answer: The four main sources of demand for foreign currency are as follows: A) To buy services and goods from other countries. B) To send a gift abroad.

  • Q : Define voluntary unemployment Voluntary

    Voluntary unemployment: It refers to a condition when person are not willing to do work at customary market wage rate, though they are receiving a work.

  • Q : Demand-pull inflation What is

    What is "demand-pull" inflation?

  • Q : What are various economic growth

    Economic growth is generally defined as a sustained increase in per capital national output over a long period of time. It implies that for economic growth of a nation, the rate of increase in its total output must be greater than the rate of population growth. It ma