zerohedge.com/ By Tyler Durden / February 26, 2013
From SocGen:
Bernanke downplays costs of easing
Here’s Bernanke’s list of the costs/risks associated with further asset purchases, and his assessment about the severity of those risks:
1. On the cost that concern about exit will undermine long term inflation expectations: In Bernanke’s words, “the committee remains confident that it has the tools necessary to tighten monetary policy when the time comes to do so”. He points to recent inflation trends which remain subdued, and to inflation expectations which remain well anchored in Bernanke’s view.
2. On financial stability risks: The Fed’s longstanding view is that monetary policy is too blunt a tool to deal with potential mispricing of risk in various asset markets and instead these concerns should be addressed through supervisory channels. Bernanke appears to cling heavily to this view. He notes in his testimony that the Fed has substantially expanded its monitoring of the financial system. The Fed’s approach to supervision of financial firms has also taken a more systemic perspective since the crisis. Bernanke acknowledges that a long period of low rates could encourage excessive risk-taking, but concludes that the potential costs outweigh the benefits of promoting a stronger recovery and more rapid job creation.
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