Quantitative easing and currency wars

To much hysteria from the rest of the world, the US has announced the launching of a new round of quantitative easing combined with a maturity twist. In the first part of this note I explain how this operation will work and why it is unlikely to greatly enhance US competitiveness. In the second part of the note I explain what the global reaction is really about and why policy makers are reacting the way they are

Limits of Quantitative Easing

The recent decision of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (Fed) to increase its assets by purchasing $600 billion worth of Treasury bonds is unlikely to boost economic growth or employment prospects in the U.S. Instead, it will cause major damage throughout the world economy, especially in emerging markets, where the U.S. dollar remains a leading reserve and transaction currency. If this decision is not corrected soon, the Fed’s policy may cause another macroeconomic and financial crisis in the very near future.Quantitative Easing, financial crisis, economic growth

Impact of US Quantitative Easing Policy on Emerging Asia

The adoption of quantitative easing (QE) policy by the United States (US) Federal Reserve Bank since early 2009 has aroused widespread concerns in Asia and elsewhere regarding its possible impact in terms of the weakening of the US dollar and stimulating capital outflows to emerging economies that might increase inflationary pressures in them. This report investigates possible impacts of US quantitative easing policy on Asian economies and financial markets.quantitative easing; federal reserve bank; asian economies; emerging asia; financial markets

The downside of quantitative easing

Current excess reserves could create a massive increase in the money supply if banks significantly increase their lending or investing.Monetary policy - United States ; Money supply ; Financial crises

Size and Composition of the Central Bank Balance Sheet: Revisiting Japanfs Experience of the Quantitative Easing Policy

This paper re-examines Japanfs experience of the quantitative easing policy in light of the policy responses against the current financial and economic crisis. Central banks use various unconventional measures in the range of financial assets being purchased and in the scale of such purchases. As the scope of such unconventional measures expands, it is often emphasized that the U.S. Federal Reserve policy reactions focus more on the asset side of its balance sheet, the so- called credit easing. By contrast, the Bank of Japanfs quantitative easing policy from 2001 to 2006 set a target for the current account balances, the liability side of its balance sheet. It is crucial to understand that central banks combine the two elements of their balance sheets, size and composition, to enhance the overall effects of unconventional policy measures, given constraints on policy implementation.Quantitative easing, Credit easing, Unconventional monetary policy, Central bank balance sheet

Financial Frictions and Credit Spreads

This paper uses the credit-friction model developed by Curdia and Woodford, in a series of papers, as the basis for attempting to mimic the behavior of credit spreads in moderate as well as crisis times. We are able to generate movements in representative credit spreads that are, at times, both sharp and volatile. We then study the impact of quantitative easing and credit easing. Credit easing is found to reduce spreads, unlike quantitative easing, which has opposite effects. The relative advantage of credit easing becomes even clearer when we allow borrowers to default on their loans. Since increases in default offset the beneficial effects of credit easing on spreads, the policy implication is that, in times of financial stress, the central bank should be aggressive when applying credit easing policies.Credit easing, credit spread, financial friction, quantitative easing.

Quantitative easing: a rationale and some evidence from Japan

This paper reviews the rationale for quantitative easing when central bank policy rates reach near zero levels in light of recent announcements regarding direct asset purchases by the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. Empirical evidence from the previous period of quantitative easing in Japan between 2001 and 2006 is presented. During this earlier period the Bank of Japan was able to expand the monetary base very quickly and significantly. Quantitative easing translated into a greater and more lasting expansion of M1 relative to nominal GDP. Deflation subsided by 2005. As soon as inflation appeared to stabilize near a rate of zero, the Bank of Japan rapidly reduced the monetary base as a share of nominal income as it had announced in 2001. The Bank was able to exit from extensive quantitative easing within less than a year. Some implications for the current situation in Europe and the United States are discussed

The first U.S. quantitative easing: the 1930s

During 1932, with congressional support, the Fed purchased approximately $1 billion in Treasury securities.Monetary policy ; Financial crises

The role of monetary policy in managing the euro - dollar exchange rate

The US Federal Reserve’s new relaxed monetary policy (the so-called quantitative easing) has triggered controversy among economists and policy makers about its effectiveness. This paper investigates the role of monetary policy in managing the euro – dollar exchange rate via alternative cointegration tests and impulse response functions. It is found that monetary fundamentals have neither long- nor short-run impact on the exchange rate. This implies that the Fed’s quantitative easing schemes are unlikely to have any significant impact on the euro – dollar rate.Exchange rates; Monetary model; Cointegration; Impulse response functions

Perils of quantitative easing

Quantitative easing compromises the control of the central bank over the stochastic path of inflation