Point / Counterpoint: When and How Fast Should the Fed Boost Interest Rates, and Why?
Economic Outlook
March 02, 2010 Joe Morgan
The Fed should begin raising interest rates in earnest in early 2011, once consumers have some vision of and confidence in both their wealth and job prospects. At that point, the Fed should aggressively raise rates more than one 75 basis point hike. See Joe Morgan's and Jim Anderson's Point / Counterpoint Read More
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Tightening? Not a Tightening?
Economic Outlook
February 23, 2010 Joe Morgan
Last week, the Fed raised the discount rate from 0.50 percent to 0.75 percent and also shortened the term of loans allowed through the discount window from 28 days to overnight.
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Feelings Drive Policy?
Economic Outlook
February 16, 2010 Joe Morgan
Ok. That was too easy.

The sovereign teeterings we are seeing these days should not be too surprising given all the government support programs put into place over the last two years. But what is really going on here?

I believe the challenge we face is more cultural than financial. Read More
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Taxonomy Watch Test
Economic Outlook
February 12, 2010 Joe Morgan

Doesn't seem to be working.

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Another Test
Economic Outlook
February 12, 2010 Joe Morgan

TEST

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Squeezing the Turnip
Economic Outlook
February 09, 2010 Joe Morgan

The nothin’ offered in the money market fund world has driven investors to seek other ways to add return. One easy way is to simply pay close attention when deploying funds into the marketplace.

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How to Create a Time Bomb
Economic Outlook
February 02, 2010 Joe Morgan

Last week the SEC adopted new rules designed to strengthen the money market fund world (or "2a-7 world" if you want to get technical), which are targeted at increasing liquidity, credit quality and transparency. Without going into too much detail, the new rules will effectively limit investment options for these funds, including the development of a concentration of funds to be invested in the very short term.

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Your Risk or Mine
Economic Outlook
January 26, 2010 Joe Morgan

A very interesting debate is developing regarding the business world (perhaps I should say the "government regulation" world) that has more to do with culture and sociology than getting business done. The underlying question is: How much risk is too much? 
 

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2010: Outlook in Brief
Economic Outlook
January 19, 2010 Joe Morgan

Many readers have commented on my use of song quotes. In response, I've received many good and many not-so-good suggestions. The above quote, however, fits this column on my 2010 outlook exactly as all market participants look for their "own way" to protect principal while garnering above-market returns.

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Random Thoughts
Economic Outlook
January 13, 2010 Joe Morgan

When writing a weekly column, one might suspect that it's a challenge to identify 52 topics in a year. Much of the time, that is true; however, I sometimes find myself with far too many topics to discuss all at once (Was that Billy Joel's problem?). So, I've decided to briefly list several of the topics I wish I had time to explore further. They are in no particular order, although if you'd like to hear more about any specific idea please don't hesitate to drop me a note. 

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