Standing ovation from the equity markets?

For those of us surprised by the somewhat abrupt interruption of the first act, the Chair remarkably stepped out onto the stage and gave us the rationale: “The reason we’re on hold is that we think our policy is in a good place, and the economy is in a good place, and we’re watching carefully.”

The audience is understandably confused. The rate of inflation is stubbornly stuck at the lower end of the Fed’s target. The median Fed projection for gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 was 3.0 percent in December, and that number has now been revised downward to 2.1 percent.

Sure, unemployment continues at remarkably low levels, corporate earnings are holding up nicely, and confidence for businesses and consumers remains high, but there is substantial consensus that, with the fiscal stimulus beginning to wear off, the economy is likely to slow in accordance with the Fed’s own forecast. So, let’s rephrase the Chair’s comments:

In our zeal to normalize rates and have some room to ease come the inevitable next recession, we probably moved too far too fast not recognizing that despite all of the actions to get this economy moving secular forces likely are restraining economic growth. For now, we are going to keep borrowing costs low in the hope that, at a minimum, we don’t advance the inevitable. And hey, we’ll stay on top of this thing, so you can relax.

Standing ovation and rowdy applause from the equity markets.