Did the Federal Reserve whiff on raising rates?
As the Major League Baseball season gets under way, the Federal Reserve has struck out twice with its last two rate moves, according to one economist who suggests if financial institutions raise their deposit rates the central bank will likely hold off on any further rate increases over next two years.
Michael Moebs, economist and CEO at Moebs $ervices, contends the last two rate hikes were a mistake for the health of the economy, and believes at this point Fed rate reductions would be helpful. But Moebs also is predicting rates will hold fairly steady over the coming 12-24 months, and may even inch up.
“If President Trump keeps putting pressure on Fed Chair (Jay) Powell there could be one or two decreases in 2019. It is obvious from the Moebs Interest Rate Study the Fed increased rates two times too much in 2018,” said Moebs. “Yet, if the Fed decreases rates it would be signaling it made a mistake. I do not think the Fed will admit it made a mistake.”
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