We still live in an era where the markets hang on every word uttered by the Federal Reserve and its chairman Jerome Powell.
Last week saw the Fed raise the Federal Funds Rate by a quarter percent, as was expected.
Then Jerome Powell spoke and the markets immediately started spiking higher, which very likely was not what he was hoping for.
For several quarters now, the Fed has been locked in a game of chicken with the markets, who expect the Fed to reverse policy substantially sooner than Jerome Powell is trying to guide the public.
Who’s like to be proven right — the markets or the Fed?
For perspective, we welcome back one of the best Fed-watchers we know, Axel Merk, President and Chief Investment Officer of Merk Investments back to the program.