monetary policy
In this reprint of a collection of lectures, the Nobel Prize–winning author expounds on regional and international regulation and monetary and fiscal policy, as well as a host of other economic topics. His insights predate but point toward the recent global financial crisis, and his guidance is timely and critical for a global economy still facing the fallout from the crisis.
Back in the 1980s, “monetary policy was a great way to stimulate the economy,” Jack Ablin, CFA, said. Not anymore.
In a sweeping survey of the financial crises that shook East Asia and other developing countries, the author explores the compatibility of emerging market economies with inherently volatile global financial markets.
Highlights from February include a guide to better decision making by Lauren Foster; an analysis of how to assimilate market sentiment and crowd psychology to make intelligent investment decisions from Greg Blotnick, CFA; a Todd Wenning, CFA, review of Yefei Lu's take on the unparalleled investment mind of Warren Buffett; a synopsis of Ben Bernanke's recent insights on the economy from John Bowman, CFA; and a discussion of the meaning behind labels like "emerging" and "frontier" market as analyzed by Will Ortel.
It was just shy of two weeks since President Donald Trump’s inauguration when former US Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke took to the podium at the CFA Society Boston’s 31st Annual Market Dinner. His presentation covered a broad range of topics, from the current state of macroeconomics, regulation, and policy, to financial stability and the geopolitical climate at large. John Bowman, CFA, shares a few key takeaways from his speech and the subsequent question-and-answer session.
Highlights from the past month include a critique of the war on cash by Ron Rimkus, CFA; the future of blockchain technology as explored by Larry Cao, CFA; a review of an Antti Ilmanen presentation by Mark Harrison, CFA; an analysis of how investors can add value through meditation by Jason Voss, CFA; and an update on the 2017 regtech revolution from April J. Rudin.
Recently, there has been a global movement toward eliminating cash, Ron Rimkus, CFA, observes. It sounds strange, almost bizarre. Who exactly wants to eliminate cash? Why? What would we do without it? Rimkus explores these questions as well as the most critical one of all: Is it good for his mom?
In this fascinating study of the Federal Reserve System, Peter Conti-Brown shows that much of what investors know about the formulation and implementation of US monetary policy is wrong. He also demonstrates that much of the expert commentary in the media (e.g., regarding future interest rate actions) proceeds from false premises about the central bank’s internal dynamics. Although practitioners should not accept all of Conti-Brown’s conclusions uncritically, they can assuredly profit from his debunking of conventional wisdom about a key driver of the financial markets.
The end of the year is a good time to look back and take stock. What Enterprising Investor articles did readers find most compelling in 2016? The results are illuminating. Our top content runs the gamut from the granular — tightly focused, practice-oriented material on starting a firm and what to read to stay informed — to more "big picture" analysis on negative interest rates and the ongoing active vs. passive debate. Taken together, they reflect the currents at work in the investment management profession at both the system-wide and individualized levels.
The central bankers' ongoing romance with negative interest rates is perhaps the most important story of 2016. Ron Rimkus, CFA, provides his year-end roundup and looks ahead to 2017.