Bernanke: With unemployment high, Fed can do more

JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming— Chairman Ben Bernanke sent a clear message Friday that the Federal Reserve will do more to help the still-struggling US economy. His remarks left two questions: What exactly will the Fed do? And when? Bernanke described the US economy’s health as “far from satisfactory” and noted that the unemployment rate, now 8.3 per cent, hasn’t declined since January. He stopped short of committing the Fed to any specific move. But in his speech to an annual Fed conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Bernanke said that even with interest rates already at super-lows, the Fed can do more. He acknowledged critics’ arguments that further Fed action could fan inflation and inject other risks. Yet after raising such arguments, Bernanke proceeded to knock them down. Some economists predict the Fed will unveil some bold new step as soon as its Sept 12-13 meeting, possibly a third round of bond purchases meant to lower long-term interest rates and encourage more borrowing and spending.

That policy is called “quantitative easing,” or QE. In two rounds of QE, the Fed bought more than $2 trillion of Treasury bonds and mortgagebacked securities. Many investors have been hoping for a third round—a QE3. “Bernanke has taken a further step along the path to more policy stimulus, most likely a third round of asset purchases (QE3) to be announced at the mid-September FOMC meeting,” said Paul Dales, senior US economist at Capital Economics. Others expect something less dramatic: A plan to keep shortterm rates near zero into 2015 unless the economy improves, perhaps followed by bond purchases later. In his speech, Bernanke assessed the economy’s weaknesses, defended the extraordinary steps the Fed has taken to date and insisted it can do more. Investors took time to digest Bernanke’s speech but in the end seemed pleased. After his remarks were released at 10 am Eastern time, the Dow Jones industrial average shed some of its earlier gains. Then it rose more than 100 points. It closed up about 90 points, or 0.7 per cent. Bernanke acknowledged that the Fed is operating in essentially uncharted territory.

Traditionally, central banks stimulate weak economies by pushing down short-term rates. In December 2008, the Fed slashed such rates to record lows. Yet even with short-term rates as low as they can go, the economy still needs help. Central banks can take “nontraditional” measures when they’ve run out of conventional ammunition. And under Bernanke the Fed has tried many. It’s made its public communications more explicit. For example, it’s sought to embolden investors and businesses by saying short-term rates will stay low as long as the economy is weak. The Fed originally said it expected to keep rates “exceptionally low” through mid-2013. It extended that target to late 2014. And besides embarking on two rounds on QE, the Fed has sold short-term Treasurys and replaced them with long-term Treasurys. That shift is intended to push long-term rates down further. Bernanke argued Friday that collectively, such measures have succeeded. He cited research showing that two rounds of QE had created two million jobs and accelerated US economic growth. Even if the Fed does act further, many analysts doubt it would make much difference.

Interest rates, both short- and long-term, are near historic lows. Borrowing—for those who have the credit—has never been cheaper. Yet the economy remains in a rut. Critics have also argued that besides escalating inflation later, the Fed’s easy-money policies could push individuals and institutions into riskier investments. That, in turn, could destabilise the financial system. Bernanke conceded that nontraditional policies carry risks. But he argued that these risks are “manageable.” He noted that inflation remains around two per cent despite “repeated warnings that excessive policy accommodation would ignite inflation.” And he said “we have seen little evidence thus far of unsafe buildups of risk or leverage.” (AP)