United States
Federal Reserve Board - Beige Book, January 2005
The Federal Reserve published its January 2005 Beige Book survey on Wednesday 19 January. The report said U.S. economic activity continued to pick up in most of the country in late November through early January, but Cleveland, in the manufacturing…
Cleveland's Pianalto says rates must rise further
Sandra Pianalto, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland said in a speech that the Federal Reserve must be "prudent" and continue to raise short-term interest rates until central bankers are more certain that monetary policy is no longer…
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Dec 2004
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey, December 2004, activity in the region's manufacturing sector continues to grow. In this months survey the participants were asked about the impact of the weak dollar on…
Fed's Bernanke on productivity
In a speech on 'Productivity' given on 19 January, Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said that there is an emerging consensus that productivity growth could remain at its current elevated level.
Cleveland Fed says US trade gap may hit growth
The massive trade deficit in the United States will eventually be reversed and implies a weaker dollar and higher interest rates, a Cleveland Fed report said, warning this could quell growth unless US exports grow.
NY Fed's Geithner on risk management challenges
In a speech on 'Key challenges in risk management' given on 13 January, Timothy Geithner of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said a set of pressing macroeconomic problems has increased the probability of shocks to global financial prices.
Philadelphia Fed Business Review, 4th Quarter 2004
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has published its regular Business Review for the Fourth Quarter 2004. In "Monetary Policy and Inflation Targeting in the United States," President Anthony Santomero returns to the topic of inflation targeting,…
St Louis Fed's Poole on GSE risks
In a speech on 'GSE risks' given on 13 January, William Poole of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be required to hold more capital to cushion against shocks, even ones that seem unlikely.
Boston Fed's Minehan warns of slow recovery
Cathy Minehan, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, said on Friday 14 January that businesses continue to hoard cash, making the current economic recovery among the weakest of the past half-century if measured by job growth.
Fed's Ferguson on recessions and recoveries
In a speech on 'Recessions and recoveries associated with asset-price movements: What do we know?' given on 12 January, Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said detecting asset-price overvaluations and undervaluations is controversial in hindsight and…
Minehan on the US economy: 2005 and beyond
In a speech on 'The US economy: 2005 and beyond' given on 12 January, Cathy Minehan of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston said increased regulatory red tape is harming business spending, the IPO market and jobs growth.
Snow says US trade deficit reflects strong growth
Speaking on Wednesday 12 January, US Treasury Secretary John Snow said that the country's record trade deficit set in November was a result of US economic growth outpacing that of other countries.
Fed's Gramlich plays down talk of housing 'bubble'
Federal Reserve Governor Edward Gramlich said on Wednesday 12 January that high U.S. housing prices did not necessarily signal a "bubble" but might just reflect scarcity of available land for building.
St Louis Fed's Regional Economist, January 2005
The Quarterly Review of Business and Economic Conditions, The Regional Economist, January 2005 edition from the St Louis Fed includes the article "What is driving oil prices?" which looks at the recent rise in oil prices and asks how much has speculation…
The Fed's muddled minutes
Drawing the correct conclusions from the Federal Reserve's minutes is tricky, according to this article. The minutes are meant to portray the nuanced discussions that led to the FOMC's policymaking statement. In that sense, the minutes can be said to…
New York Fed's Economic Policy Review, Dec 2004
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's December 2004 edition of its Economic Policy Review includes the article, Are home prices the next "bubble"? It assesses two measures frequently cited to support a bubble - the rising price-to-income ratio and the…
The Reform of October '79: How it happened and why
This study in the Federal Reserve's Finance and Economics Discussion Series offers a historical review of the monetary policy reform of October 6, 1979, and discusses the influences behind it and its significance.
Gramlich: US needs foreign help on fiscal deficit
Federal Reserve Governor Edward Gramlich said on Monday 10 January that stronger foreign demand is needed to help correct the huge fiscal imbalances in the United States without disrupting global growth.
Atlanta Fed's Guynn: Rebalancing the economy
In the speech 'Rebalancing the economy for long-term growth' given on 10 January, Jack Guynn of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta said the Federal Reserve has never pledged to raise interest rates at only a measured pace and is closely watching…
Fed's Kohn on central bank communication
In a speech on 'Central bank communication' given on 9 January, Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said the Federal Reserve is moving toward giving the public a better understanding of the central bank's behaviour, but these steps are likely to take…
Fed's Ferguson on labor market statistics
In a speech on 'Interpreting labor market statistics in the context of monetary policy' given on 7 January, Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said it is possible there is less slack in the U.S. job market than thought, and this could lead to a pickup…
Federal Reserve Bank transfers to US Treasury 2004
The Federal Reserve Board on Friday 7 January released figures that indicate the Federal Reserve Banks distributed approximately $18.086 billion of their $23.541 billion total income to the U.S. Treasury during 2004.
IMF chief calls on US to resolve deficit
The U.S. budget deficit is "truly excessive" and the world's largest economy must resolve the problems linked to the imbalance, the head of the International Monetary Fund said in remarks published on Sunday 9 January .
Philadelphia Fed names Assistant Vice President
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has announced the promotion of Michael Doyle to assistant vice president in the Bank's Information Technology Services Department.