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Federal reserve rate cuts

3rd March 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4iSw3yKq5k

- reduce interest rates from 1.5-1.75% to 1-1.25%
- purchase of government bonds
- purchase of agency back mortgage securities

15th March 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhspIpGMaX4

- reduce interest rates from 1-1.25% to 0-0.25%
- effects are in very early stage within the US
- First signs affected industries

Tourism
- Hotel
- Travel industry
- otherwise not showing up in data but sentiment forecasts

Key take aways

- mandate

maximum employment
- price stability

- Context

Economy propped up by US consumers
- US unemployment is low

- Dealing with corona issue

Actual impact of US economy is uncertain
- Ultimate solution will come from health professionals
- Broader spread of the virus is what changed hence potential risk to the economy
- Uncertain how long the economy will take to recover
- Health care, Fiscal and Monetary policies