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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Monetary

News                                                                                                                             
CNN Money | Hedging QE3 bets, 52% say Fed won't act after all
This week's Federal Reserve meeting is front and center, with many still on the fence about whether or not the central bank will announce any new stimulus measures.
Market Watch | Expectations ramp up for QE3 — but maybe not now
Fed watchers have little doubt the central bank is getting ready to launch what’s commonly called “QE3,” or a new large-scale asset purchase plan, but many think the countdown will be placed on hold until later this year.
CNN Money | QE3 won't create jobs
The Federal Reserve's policymaking committee is meeting for the next two days, and it is widely expected to announce a third round of quantitative easing, known as QE3.
Market Watch | U.S. import prices climb 0.7% in August
The prices paid for U.S. imports rose 0.7% in August, the first increase in five months, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.
Market Watch | IMF: New rules will only have modest rate impact
Regulations adopted in response to the financial crisis of 2008 will likely increase modestly lending rates in the United States, Europe and Japan with relatively small economic effects, a study released Tuesday by the International Monetary Fund said.

Econ Comments & Analysis                                                                                            
WSJ | The Hidden Costs of Monetary Easing
Since mid-September of 2008, the Federal Reserve balance sheet has grown to $2,814 billion from $924 billion as it purchased massive amounts of U.S. Treasurys and mortgage backed securities. To finance those purchases the Fed increased currency and bank reserves (base money).
Bloomberg | Bernanke Has Already Told Us: More Stimulus Is Coming
Let us begin by stipulating that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will be damned if he does and damned if he doesn't on Wednesday.
Washington Times | The wrong doctors
On Wednesday, a German court is going to rule whether the European Central Bank can buy an unlimited amount of debt from the national banks of the countries in the eurozone without violating German law. By week’s end, the U.S. Federal Reserve likely will decide if it is going to engage in another round of massive debt buying.

Blogs                                                                                                                             
Economist | On gold and golden ages
Apparently, while I was out on paternity leave, the Republican Party flirted with adding a return to a gold standard to its official platform, thereby touching off an online debate on the merits of such a standard. Belatedly, I'd like to offer a few thoughts.
Calculated Risk | QE Timeline Update
By request, here is an updated timeline of QE (and Twist operations)