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Federal Reserve slashes interest rates to zero

washingtonpost.com

191–200 of 319 posts

Re: Federal Reserve slashes interest rates to zero

#191
post #181

At this point, I'm actually starting to wonder. If we literally do nothing about the virus, or do the bare minimum, the worst case scenario based on the numbers I hear is 7.7b * 0.6 (total infections) * 0.02-0.03 (presumed mortality rate after the healthcare system collapses MINUS the rate if it doesn't), ~115m people are going to die worldwide. This appears to me to be the absolute worst case scenario given current…

The mortality rate explodes when there is a shortage of medical equipment

Re: Federal Reserve slashes interest rates to zero

#192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the Fed loses this fight, game over. This isn't the Fed's fight. Monetary policy won't fix this.

Precisely. This isn't an issue driven by obscure and multi-layers investment vehicles that can't survive when stressed. This is a decrease in the market driven by actual significantly reduced consumption and demand for a wide variety of services. The Fed keeping things liquid is important, as are things like low interest loans to small businesses. But it doesn't matter how cheap your credit is if you don't actually h…

An option not talked about much yet is cancelling debts. The Romans did it quite a few times. An effective redistribution of wealth from people who own things to people who do things.

Re: Federal Reserve slashes interest rates to zero

#193
post #181

At this point, I'm actually starting to wonder. If we literally do nothing about the virus, or do the bare minimum, the worst case scenario based on the numbers I hear is 7.7b * 0.6 (total infections) * 0.02-0.03 (presumed mortality rate after the healthcare system collapses MINUS the rate if it doesn't), ~115m people are going to die worldwide. This appears to me to be the absolute worst case scenario given current…

This makes sense if you assume that tens of millions of people suddenly dying will have no effect on the economies in which they do so.

That's quite an assumption!

Re: Federal Reserve slashes interest rates to zero

#194
post #15

The Fed can, and will do much, much more. The signal here should be read as "whatever it takes to avoid a depression." Among other steps, this is likely to mean: - Negative-yielding long-term treasuries - Direct purchase of stocks or ETFs, which would require congressional approval. Expect the discussions to start soon. The steps already taken and the ones to be taken will create financial manipulation on a scale nev…

If the Fed loses this fight, game over. This isn't the Fed's fight. Monetary policy won't fix this.

The fed is there to stabilize markets and banking, monetary policy absolutely can alleviate stress on people which makes them more sane and predictable. Top reasons for divorce: money (economics) and cheating.

Re: Federal Reserve slashes interest rates to zero

#196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does that stuff help? Yes, if practiced as intended, which there is no guarantee. Did Italy do that? Perhaps not as quickly as they should have. The rest of the world is learning from Italy's experience (they should have been paying closer attention to China, but that's another story) Another thing to realize is that these numbers you are seeing are WITH CONTROLS. Sure, "only" 3,000 Chinese have died. Maybe it's more…

Didn't one model show over 100M?

No.

That would implies 100% infection, at a base reproduction rate 15 (close to measles), and a mortality of 30% (close to Ebola).

If left unchecked covid-19 would infect 100-250 millions Americans. The R0 is 2.5-3. The average mortality rate is said to probably be closer to 1% rather the 3.4% previously advanced, so 1-2.5 millions deaths, which we will hopefully never reach if people follow the current social distancing and self-quarantine guidance.

Re: Federal Reserve slashes interest rates to zero

#197

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does that stuff help? Yes, if practiced as intended, which there is no guarantee. Did Italy do that? Perhaps not as quickly as they should have. The rest of the world is learning from Italy's experience (they should have been paying closer attention to China, but that's another story) Another thing to realize is that these numbers you are seeing are WITH CONTROLS. Sure, "only" 3,000 Chinese have died. Maybe it's more…

Didn't one model show over 100M?

No.

That would imply 100% infection, at a base reproduction rate of 15 (close to measles), and a mortality rate of 30% (close to Ebola).

If left unchecked covid-19 would infect 100-250 millions Americans. The R0 is 2.5-3. The average mortality rate is said to probably be closer to 1% rather the 3.4% previously advanced, so 1-2.5 millions deaths, which we will hopefully never reach if people follow the current social distancing and self-quarantine guidance.

Re: Federal Reserve slashes interest rates to zero

#198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does that stuff help? Yes, if practiced as intended, which there is no guarantee. Did Italy do that? Perhaps not as quickly as they should have. The rest of the world is learning from Italy's experience (they should have been paying closer attention to China, but that's another story) Another thing to realize is that these numbers you are seeing are WITH CONTROLS. Sure, "only" 3,000 Chinese have died. Maybe it's more…

Didn't one model show over 100M?

[deleted]

Re: Federal Reserve slashes interest rates to zero

#199
post #181

At this point, I'm actually starting to wonder. If we literally do nothing about the virus, or do the bare minimum, the worst case scenario based on the numbers I hear is 7.7b * 0.6 (total infections) * 0.02-0.03 (presumed mortality rate after the healthcare system collapses MINUS the rate if it doesn't), ~115m people are going to die worldwide. This appears to me to be the absolute worst case scenario given current…

Sidestepping the issue of how much a human life is worth you are also missing that the death rate would skyrocket if everyone gets sick and needed treatment at the same time.

Re: Federal Reserve slashes interest rates to zero

#200

Does this interest rate transfer to lower mortgage rates? Is now a good time to refinance loans?

It will, but not just yet. There’s too many people trying to refi right now and supply can’t keep up with demand, so rates are higher than they should be. Give it another 3-6 months and I wouldn’t be surprised if mortgage rates fell by another 1%.

Do we know what were the bottom 30-year fixed rates were after 2008, and how long it took to get there?
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