--%>

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 : Fiscal Monetary changes With the

    With the general equilibrium framework in place, the stage is now set for introducing fiscal and monetary changes and analysing their effects on the general equilibrium. We will first introduce a fiscal change in the form of increase in deficit-financed expenditure, a

  • Q : National income Gross domestic capital

    Gross domestic capital formation is always greater than gross fixed capital formation

  • Q : Declines of percentage of income paid

    Since the percentage of income paid in taxes generally declines as taxpayer income increases, standard sales taxes and “sin” taxes [for example, excise taxes upon liquor or tobacco] are illustrations of: (1) proportional t

  • Q : Threats of SWOT analysis Threats of

    Threats of SWOT analysis: • Possible threat from other banks and other financial institutions • There is always a possible threat of market fluctuations. By this we me

  • Q : IMF? In saying that the present system

    In saying that the present system of floating exchange rates is managed we mean that: IMF officials determine exchange rates on a day-to-day basis. countries that allow their exchange rate to move freely will lose their borrowing privileges with the IMF. the value of any IMF member's currency

  • Q : Long-term Federal government budget

    Question: Explain why there are long-term Federal government budget problems.   Explain why the base-line forecast of the CBO is misleading. Include in your answer why solutions to the problem will necessarily involve a decision about which

  • Q : Unemployment (a) Do you think that

    (a) Do you think that macroeconomic policy should be designed to achieve a measured unemployment rate of zero?

  • Q : Equal Marginal advantage law Assume

    Assume that you receive $18 worth of “jollies” (that is, satisfaction, utility or pleasure) from the very first hole of golf played on a particular day, and that your extra jollies from succeeding holes drops $1 for each and every hole played. You should p

  • Q : Explain about the marginalism theory

    Most economists believe such that people increase an activity when they perceive the expected additional benefits as exceeding the expected extra cost, but decrease their level of an activity whenever they believe the benefits from the last few units of the activity a

  • Q : Why Exceptional Demand Curve Explain

    Explain with examples the reasons for exceptional demand curve