US stock markets wobbled today as the Fed raised interest rates by a 0.25% in a move which was expected but not necessarily accepted. This is the second such interest rate rise by the Fed in 2017 with an indication at least one more will follow. However, markets are growing very sceptical of the Fed’s approach to interest rates and this is causing something of a stand-off. Glass half full/half empty The Fed has forecast relatively low inflation in the short term but expects it to stabilise at higher levels in the medium term. There also seems to be an upbeat opinion on the US economy although there are specific elements of employment data which could be read either way. On the whole, the Fed seems to be suggesting that the US economy is picking up speed and this will continue for the foreseeable future. Indeed the Fed has increased its forecast for GDP in 2017 from 2.1% up to 2.2%. Read full article here
Very encouraging so far the way the markets have held up under the rate increases. Of course the market is expecting further deregulation, corporate and other tax cuts, etc.
Do you think we are fast approaching a time when Donald Trump will need to announce his tax and deregulation plans before the markets run out of patience? Personally I think markets are taking a lot of what Donald Trump said he will do on trust - he needs to act now.
Yes, his admin needs to get its act together and focus on what is important. I've been saying ever since he won the election that he was going to have to crush his enemies on the left, because it was obvious that they were shocked and angered that Hillary lost and that their leftist agendas to further push the US to the left would not pan out. This whole "resistance" of the left and the govt civil service employees fighting his admin on everything, investigating him on bogus charges, leaking classified info, rioting, etc is no surprise to me. He should have cleaned house on day 1 and let Obama, Soros, Comey, the Clintons, and his other political enemies in govt know that he wasn't going to be trifled with. He failed to do so, and it has cost his administration a great deal of grief.
I agree - his first weakness was not pushing through the healthcare changes when they were presented and then fudging together a deal which looks like it will collapse. He is supposed to be a great negotiator, well he needs to get negotiating asap.
It sickens me that the GOP had no problem putting full ACA repeal bills on Obama's desk for him to veto when they knew he not would do so... Yet they have so far refused to put a simple repeal bill on Trump's desk. They're worried about possibly losing a few votes, but they fail to realize that they will probably lose far more votes not repealing the ACA - many Republican voters will simply not vote in the future if the ACA does not go away under GOP majorities. Most or almost all of us who have voted for them and who will vote for them want things to be the way they were before the ACA. Most or pretty much all of the population who favor the ACA have and will vote democrat anyway.
Its is a bizarre situation when the president is hamstring by his own party when trying to push for change! Are the establishment running scared of Trump?
