--%>

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 : Stock option price-Strike price-Put and

    What do you mean by the following terms: a stock option price, strike price and what are a put and a call?What is the merits or demerits of purchasing stock options over stocks? What function do Mutual Funds execute with Stock Market

  • Q : Principles of macroeconomics What are

    What are the “powers of the Federal Reserve

  • Q : Microeconomics concepts as a primary

    Write a 3 page paper using microeconomics concepts as a primary mode of analysis.  Your paper should use 1.5 line spacing, a 12 point font, and 1inch margins.  Proof read your paper.  You will lose 5 percentage points per day for each day past the

  • Q : Purchasing and consumption of

    The usual household maximizes the utility by spending all its money to purchase and consume a combination of goods which yields: (1) Fundamental physiological requirements and customary wants. (2) Maximum status and the social prestige. (3) Complete satisfaction of al

  • Q : Why Exceptional Demand Curve Explain

    Explain with examples the reasons for exceptional demand curve

  • Q : Define Demand schedule What is Demand

    What is Demand schedule and how it is associated to demand curve?

  • Q : Greatest Consumer Surplus problem I

    I have a problem in economics on Greatest Consumer Surplus. Please help me in the following question. Usual Americans undoubtedly derive the greatest consumer surpluses from the: (i) Summer vacations. (ii) Jelly and Peanut butter. (iii) Gold jewellery

  • Q : Market shift when exporting When the

    When the U.S. furniture market is primarily in equilibrium at point e on S0D0 and then Chinese manufacturers start exporting more furniture to the United States, then this market would shift towards a new equilibrium at: (1) point a. (2) point b. (3) point c. (4) poin

  • Q : Foreign trade eliminate deficient demand

    In what respect foreign trade will be helpful in eliminating the adverse economic influences of deficient demand? Answer: Export increases the demand for services a

  • Q : Business fixed investment-Inventory

    Describe the following terms: (i) Business fixed investment (ii) Inventory Investment (iii) Residential construction Investment (iv) Public Investment.