Alexander W. Salter
What a Trumped-up Fed Means for the Global Economy
President Trump is bringing federal agencies to heel. Is the Federal Reserve next? Our nation’s central bank jealously guards its independence from politics. Given its inflation-fighting and financial stability-preserving mandates, […]
Price Growth Slows in February
After disappointing readings in November, December, and January, inflation appears to be slowing once again. Could this mark the return to sustainably low price pressures? The Bureau of Labor Statistics […]
The Fed’s Triple Mandate Problem: It’s Time to End the Confusion
What is the Federal Reserve’s job? The standard answer is to maintain full employment and stable prices. This is what economists and commentators mean when they talk about the “dual […]
Against Central Bank Independence
President Trump’s return to the White House has sparked a resurgence of interest in central bank independence. Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr said he would step down from his Vice […]
To Whip Inflation, Trump Needs The Courage To Be Unpopular
How much longer will high inflation plague the US economy? Both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCEPI) have grown faster than 2 percent […]
Forecasts Stable: The Fed Should Take a Breather
Prices still pinch: The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4 percent in December and 2.9 percent over the past year. The major cause was […]
The FOMC Should Hold Rates Steady
Another disinflationary hiccup: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3 percent in November and 2.7 percent over the last year. Year-over-year prices grew […]
WSJ’s Prof. Blinder Misses Again on Inflation Analysis
Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Alan Blinder argues that President-Elect Donald Trump’s economic agenda will spark inflation. “Almost every economist will tell you — as many did before Nov. […]
Don’t Dread Dwindling Disinflation
Inflation ticked up in October. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2 percent last month. Prices are up 2.6 percent over the last […]
Trump the Inflationist? Probably Not
At the New York Times, Jeanna Smialek reports that economists are worried President-Elect Trump will stoke inflation. Voters returned Trump to office largely because of the economy, especially the high […]
