It seems that the Federal Reserve is considering the expansion of a program geared towards the purchase of mortgage and Treasury securities. This is the latest effort by the Fed to strengthen the credit markets and keep interest rates in check.
Additionally, it was reported that the Federal Reserve had officially lowered its projected outlook for 2009 and 2010. It cited estimates that suggested the U.S. economy would contract further, causing higher unemployment rates than were projected back in January. It was understandable even to some economists that the previous projects were far too optimistic considering the rates at which many businesses were cutting jobs and reducing investment portfolios.
Back in March, the Federal Reserve had made its plans to purchase $300 billion in longer-term Treasuries to help maintain lower interest rates. Afterwards, there was a dramatic reduction on yields collected on 10-year Treasuries, going from 3% to 2.5%. Of course, the percentage has risen since that time due to increases in stock prices. As of May 7, the rate was 3.34%.
The Reserve has emphasized that it also plans to keep its promise about a $1 trillion purchase of assets that would revive the lending markets and aid in recovery.
The Federal Open Market Committee is planning to reassess its securities purchases in June, say the economists. In preparation, the group will monitor interest rate levels on government debts as well as any indicators present in the credit markets or economy at large.
Figures published by the Open Market Committee also cite the expectation that there will be further shrinkage in the economy. Estimates suggest an additional 1.3% to 2% this year. This represents a much sharper drop than was anticipated. Unemployment figures are looking grim, as projections indication an increase in the number of job losses this year.
The current unemployment rate in the United States is 8.9%, and nearly six million jobs have been lost since the recession began.
Despite all of these difficult numbers, the Federal Reserve is trying to remain optimistic. Members of the Open Market Committee said that the financial markets had “generally strengthened,” and that both consumer and business confidence was gradually making a comeback, though it was still low.
Tags: debt purchasing, federal reserve
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