2022年7月20日 星期三

聯準會官員瓦勒近期經濟數據看法

聯準會官員瓦勒2022年7月14日針對近期經濟數據發表談話,內容包括強勁就業狀況下,美國國內生產毛額仍然在第1季下滑,摘要及分析如下:

摘要 

A Puzzle: Very Tight Labor Market but Declining GDP As many economists are discussing, recent economic data have created a puzzle. The labor market continues to be very strong, but the real economy appears to be faltering. 

困惑:勞動市場吃緊,GDP 卻是下滑,近期經濟數據使人困惑。勞動市場持續強健,但是實體經濟似乎正在崩潰。

How might gross domestic product (GDP) fall in the first half of 2022 while the economy created 2.7 million jobs in the same time period? Is the labor market not as strong as it appears or is the economy doing better than the data suggests? To assess the strength of the labor market, there are numerous indicators of its health, and sometimes they point in different directions. 

市場上有270萬個新職缺,為什麼 GDP 曾在今年上半年萎縮呢?難不成勞動市場並沒有預期好,還是經濟經濟表現優於數據所顯示的?為了評估勞動市場狀況,我們有許多指標可以用來觀察,以評估其健康程度,有時,這些指標並不一 致。

Today isn't one of those times. Based on every major labor market indicator, the labor market is very strong and, in historical terms, very tight. The timeliest evidence for this strength was the jobs report that came out last Friday for the month of June, which found that the economy created 372,000 jobs. 

今天並不是如此。根據所有主要勞動市場指標,勞動市場相當穩健,且史上最吃緊。最新的證據就是上週五的就業數據,6月份增加了372000個就業機會。

Now, I will admit my vision isn't what it used to be, but with revisions to May and April, it is hard to see any slowing in the pace of monthly job creation since February: 398,000 in March, then 368, 384, and 372. In the first half of 2022, the economy has created 2.7 million jobs. That isn't a picture of a weakening job market. 

我現在承認我的想法與以往不同,看到4、5月份數據更新,很難看到2月份之後每月新增就業缺口趨緩。3新增398000、4月新增368384,然後372。今年上半年增加了270萬個工作機會,這並不是勞動市場弱化的跡象。

The unemployment rate in June was steady at 3.6 percent. It is often said that this is "close to a half-century low" and that is true, but you really have to go back 69 years, to 1953, to find the unemployment rate more than a couple tenths of a point lower than it was in June. This is about as good a job market as any worker has ever seen. 

6月份失業率保持3.6%,這常常被說成是半世紀的低點,也確實如此,但是你必須回朔69年到1953年才能找到失業率比6月低個一點。現在是有史以來勞動市場狀況最好的時刻。

The June job report is consistent with other labor market indicators. Job vacancies—an indicator I have highlighted in past speeches—are unprecedentedly high, with nearly two jobs for every person looking, and that hasn't changed very much this year. Job postings, measured by the Labor Department for May and by Indeed for June, have fallen a bit in recent months but are still at historically high levels, consistent with a very tight labor market. 

6月份就業報告與其他勞動市場指標一致。就業職缺——之前我演講時強調過的——史上最高,兩個職缺等一個失業的人做,今年持續如此。勞動部五月及 Indeed 6月的職缺公告近月稍微下降,但還是史上高點,這與就業市場吃緊狀況一致。

As a share of the labor force, weekly initial claims for unemployment insurance are near record lows and have been fairly steady all year. Businesses continue to report that jobs are plentiful and small business owners say that jobs are very hard to fill.

也是勞動指標的一環,週初領失業保險金接近歷史新低,今年一來皆是如此。企業持續公佈許多職缺,小型企業缺工。

Turning to GDP, there are signs of slowing in economic activity. The Commerce Department estimates that there was a modest contraction in real GDP for the first quarter of the year, and "nowcasting" projections of economic activity, such as the Atlanta Fed's GDPNow tracker, foresee a similar contraction in the second quarter.

來看 GDP,有跡象顯示今年第一季 GDP 可能減緩。商務部預估今年第一季實質 GPD 有小幅度萎縮,現在的評估報告,像是亞特蘭大聯邦銀行的指標也顯示第二季也是萎縮。

There is also softness in recent spending data, which has been widespread across consumer spending, business investment, housing, and government purchases, as well as some weaker indicators for the manufacturing sector and a deterioration in consumer sentiment, which by some measures are at historically low levels. 

廣泛的消費數據,企業投資房地產及政府採購及某些製造業數據皆有減弱,消費者信心某些數據顯示也在歷史低點。

Some argue that a recession has already started. But I don't see how that squares with the job creation data, the low unemployment rate, and overall strong labor market that I described earlier. 

有些人說,經濟早已在衰退。但是我不知道先前提到的歷史新低失業率、強勁的整體勞動市場要如何解釋。

In addition to the contrasting evidence in the labor market, there are several other reasons why I am very cautious about acting on the GDP estimates and on projections of an output slowdown. One is that while first quarter real GDP is now estimated to have shrunk by 1.6 percent, according to another estimate, real gross domestic income (GDI) increased by 1.8 percent. GDP and GDI are basically measuring the same activity in different ways, and in the past when such wide gaps in the two numbers have appeared initially, they tend to move toward each other when the data are finalized. 

另外,除了與勞動數據相反的數據以外,還有其他數據讓我對 GPD 及產出減緩不反應過度。其一,第一季而GDP 雖然萎縮 1.6%,但是實質國內收入增加了 1.8%,這兩者為兩種測量同一種指標的兩種不同工具。歷史上,當這兩個數據不同時,數據將會逐漸靠近。

Measures of manufacturing activity and indicators of future activity, such as the purchasing manager's index, have moderated but are still in expansionary territory. 

製造活動及未來經濟活動測量數據,像是採購經理人指數,有減小,但是還是在膨脹階段。

Past experience has shown that job creation and the unemployment rate are timely indicators of a recession, more timely than quarterly GDP. I will watch all the data carefully, but the factors I just cited, along with the evident strength across different measures of the labor market, leave me feeling fairly confident that the U.S. economy did not enter a recession in the first half of 2022 and that the economic expansion will continue. 

過去的經驗是職缺新增量及失業率是即時的經濟衰退指標,比季 GDP 還即時。我會審慎評估各項數據,但是上述理由及勞動市場強健的各項指標,讓我很有信心的說,美國經濟在今年上半年並沒有衰退,且經濟還是會持續成長。

Now let's talk about inflation. Yesterday's report on the consumer price index (CPI) for June was a major league disappointment. On a twelve-month basis, total inflation stood at 9.1 percent, the highest in 40 years. Core, which came down slightly in the last couple months, has averaged over 6 percent this year, and is too high as well. No matter how you look at the data, inflation is far too high and my job is to move it down toward our 2 percent target. 

現在來談談通膨。昨天公布的6月 CPI 真是令人失望。年度通膨高達 9.1%,40年來最高。近月有下降的核心通膨今年平均為而6%,這也太高了。不管通膨數據如何解讀,都太高了,而我的任務就是要讓通膨將回 2%。

We know that supply shortages and bottlenecks, including the tight labor market, have contributed to the high inflation readings we are observing. We also know that the surge in demand during the pandemic that was driven by excess saving, significant fiscal stimulus, and accommodative monetary policy also has contributed to the high inflation we are now experiencing. 

我們知道供應鏈瓶頸及缺工都造成通膨。我們也知道疫情後的因為存了些錢的報復性消費、財政刺激及貨幣寬鬆皆導致了現在我們經歷的通貨膨脹。

As I have said before, with inflation so high, there is a virtue in front-loading tightening so that policy moves as soon as is practical to a setting that restricts demand. Getting there sooner will bolster the public's confidence that we can get inflation down and it will preserve options for adjusting the pace of tightening later if needed. 

如我所說,在高通膨時期,提早緊縮有好處的,就是能夠縮減需求。如此能提高大眾對於我們能夠降低通膨能力具有信心,且未來我們能夠依狀況調整緊縮步伐。 

簡析

美國就業狀況史上最好,然而經濟成長數據卻有趨緩狀況。美國今年上半年國內實質收入成長輩,而生產毛額下降,無論如何確實讓人考量美國經濟是否進入衰退。

聯準會瓦勒對於美國經濟相當有信心,並且相信提前縮減貨幣政策將能打擊需求,進而控制通膨,並且提前緊縮貨幣的好處是,之後不會被通膨追著升息,而是可以自己控制升息步調。因此聯準會近期升息步調將會擓,而後減慢。

最後,供應鏈瓶頸若有改善,通膨可能會受到控制。

資料來源: Monetary Policy in a World of Conflicting Data. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserver System. https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/waller20220714a.htm. July 14, 2022

2022年7月9日 星期六

美國總統談及美國2022年6月就業數據研析

2022年7月8日美國總統談及美國6月就業數據,摘要及分析如下。

摘要

Today, we learned that our private sector has recovered all of the jobs lost during the pandemic, and added jobs on top of that. This has been the fastest and strongest jobs recovery in American history, and it would not have been possible without the decisive action my Administration took last year to fix a broken COVID response, and pass the American Rescue Plan to get our economy back on track. 

我們得知民間企業領域在疫情期間損失的所有工作,在今天已經全數復原,甚至還有多。這是美國有史以來恢復就業最快最穩的一次,多虧了我的執政團隊去年為了修補當時殘破的疫情對應措施,執行了相關決定,並且通過了美國救援計劃,使經濟重回正軌。 

In the second quarter of this year, we created more jobs than in any quarter under any of my predecessors in the nearly 40 years before the pandemic. We have more Americans working in the private sector today than any day during Donald Trump’s Presidency – more people than any time in our history. The historic strength of our job market is one reason our economy is uniquely well positioned to tackle a range of global economic challenges. 

我們創造的工作今年第二季所創造的工作多過任何疫情以前 40 年來任何一位總統當前在民間企業工作的人數比川普執政時期任何一天還多—比歷史任何一個時期多。我們歷史性強的就業市場是我們解決各樣經濟挑戰的獨特原因。'

No country is better positioned than America to bring down inflation, without giving up all of the economic gains we have made over the last 18 months. Of course, having added a record number of new jobs, and achieved historically low levels of unemployment, additional job growth from this strong position will be slower. That is not a bad thing, because our economy should move to stable growth for the years ahead. 

沒有國家能比美國更能在不犧牲過去 18 個月的經濟成果下,降低通膨。當然,在創造有史以來最多的就業機會及失業率達歷史低點的狀況下,後續就業成長可能會放緩。這並不是一件壞事,畢竟我們經濟應該要朝向穩定成長發展。

The best way to achieve that goal is for Congress to pass legislation that lowers costs for families – from prescription drugs to utility costs – while reducing the federal budget deficit, in addition to passing the Bipartisan Innovation Act.

最好的方式是請國會立法通過能降低家庭負擔—從處方藥到水電瓦斯費—同時降低聯邦預算赤字,並且通過兩黨創新法。

簡析

就業狀況良好,聯準會可能續升息

聯準會兩個主要目標—充分就業及穩定物價,其中一項的充分就業已經達標,現在必須要致力於達到第二個目標,也就是降低通膨,因此雖然聯準會也已直接或間接說明了,升息有可能打擊到就業市場,但是目標是在,降低企業勞工需求量,進而使職缺減少,畢竟現在職缺數量高過失業人口達 2 倍之多,減少一倍的工作機會,也還不至於造成失業率上升,預判聯準會將持續升息,後續是否造成失業率上升還有待觀察。

民間企業就業人口創高,美國經濟判續成長

本次美國總統拜登談話,除了談及失去的就業機會,還提及民間企業就業人數達歷史高點,在總體經濟學的立場分析,民間企業代表的是 GDP 裡面的供應面,而民間企業的產出通常較政府投資更能反映出經濟競爭力,畢竟民間企業亂投資或花錢承擔的責任可能是倒閉,而政府投資不會,另外,失業率是個比例,無法看出實際就業或失業人口,可能會因為分母或分子的變化而失焦,這時公布私人企業就業人口就是一種強而有力的就業輔助數據。在失業率達歷史低標及民間就業人口達高標的狀況下,美國經濟成長判將穩健成長。

立法衝經濟,不讓聯準會孤單

聯準會主要目標為充分就業及穩定物價,然而手邊的主要手段僅有貨幣政策,其餘的像是財政政策、關稅政策或是經濟發展政策等等皆無權責,拜登結尾提及希望國會通過兩黨創新法,顯見重視美國長期競爭力,惟美國當前工資持續上漲,即使要衝刺美國經濟競爭力,不免也會提高美國產出的商品或服務的價格,也可能提升通膨,美國政府的經濟政策除了兩黨競爭法以外,還須持續關注。


資料來源: Statement by President Biden on the June Jobs Report. the White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/07/08/statement-by-president-biden-on-the-june-jobs-report/. 2022/7/8

2022年7月6日 星期三

聯準會2022年6月14-15會議紀錄研析

聯準會於今年開會相關內容及分析如下:

摘要內容

Over the intermeeting period, there were significant swings in asset prices, and financial conditions tightened, on net, as market participants assessed incoming information about the economy. 

從上次開會迄今,隨著市場參與者評估本次會議資訊,資產價格波動明顯,金融環境緊縮。

In the United States, near-term policy rate expectations shifted markedly toward the end of the period, particularly after the release of the May consumer price index (CPI) report. Ahead of the release of the report, market expectations reflected a broad consensus that there would be 50 basis point rate increases at both the June and July FOMC meetings.

在美國,短期政策利率期望值接近五月底時,在五月消費者物價指數公布後,有明顯地變動。物價報告發布前,市場普遍預期六月及七月聯準會將會各升息50個基點。

After the release of the higher-than-expected inflation data, policy-sensitive rates pointed instead to a considerable probability of 75 basis point moves at both the June and July meetings. The market-implied path of the federal funds rate moved higher at longer horizons as well. Market participants noted elevated uncertainty about the economic and monetary policy outlook. 

當高於預期的通膨數據公布後,政策敏感的利率顯示六月及七月有很高的機率都會升息75個基點。市場預測爾後的聯邦基金利率也有提升。市場參與者感知到了經濟及貨幣政策前景的不確定性已提升。

Across the yield curve, rates on nominal Treasury securities ended the period significantly higher, primarily reflecting the revision in the outlook for monetary policy and the associated rise in real yields. Market-based measures of inflation compensation continued to indicate expectations that inflation would decline notably in coming quarters, and measures of medium-term inflation compensation fell over the intermeeting period. 

國庫債劵名目利率本期普遍大幅提升,主要反應了貨幣政策前景的修訂及實質利率的提升。測量通膨的市場數據持續反應預期通膨在近幾個季度將顯著的下降,中期市場通膨數據從上次開會迄今已有下降。

Market participants reported that while liquidity conditions in the market for Treasury securities had been affected by the elevated volatility in rates and larger trades were having an increased effect on pricing, overall market functioning had held up. Responding to higher interest rates and some concerns about the growth outlook, equity prices moved substantially lower over the period. 

市場反應出即使國庫證劵的流動性與價格分別受到上升的波動率及大筆交易所影響,整體市場波動已減緩。因為擔憂提升的利率及成長預期,股市本期大幅下滑。

Staff Review of the Economic Situation

經濟狀況檢視

The information available at the time of the June 14–15 meeting suggested that U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) was rebounding to a moderate rate of increase in the second quarter after having declined in the first quarter. The labor market remained very tight, but there were some signs that momentum was slowing. 

六月14-15日開會期間的資料顯示美國實質 GDP 在第一季下滑後,在第二季反彈到中性水平。就業市場保持緊繃,但有趨緩跡象。

Consumer price inflation—as measured by the 12‑month percentage change in the price index for personal consumption expenditures (PCE)—remained elevated in April, and available information suggested that inflation was still elevated in May. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose solidly in April and May, though the pace of increase was slower than in the first quarter, and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.6 percent. 

與去年同期相比的消費者物價通膨在四月仍然上升,手邊資料顯示五月通膨也是。整天非農就業人口在四、五月都明顯上升,惟比第一季相比,上升速度趨緩,另失業率持續保持在 3.6%。

Nominal wage growth remained elevated, with average hourly earnings having risen 5.2 percent over the 12 months ending in May, and the increases were widespread across industries. 

名目薪資持續成長,與去年同期相比,各產業普遍今年五月平均時薪成長 5.2%。

Measures of inflation expectations derived from surveys of professional forecasters and of consumers generally suggested that inflation was expected to remain high in the short run but then fall back toward levels consistent with a longer-run rate of 2 percent. Production and spending indicators were mixed but generally remained strong. Consumer spending and industrial production posted sizable gains in April.

從給專業預測機構及消費者的問卷調查顯示,短期通膨預期會保持上升,之後再降到符合長線平均值為 2% 的水準。生產及消費數據混雜,但大致良好,兩者四月皆有大幅提升。

However, retail sales declined in May, data on home sales and single-family housing starts moved down in April, some indicators of manufacturing activity weakened in May, and the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers measure of consumer sentiment decreased noticeably in the preliminary June reading. Supply disruptions appeared to have improved in some sectors (such as general merchandise retailers) but to have deteriorated in others (such as materials for home construction). 

然而,零售數據五月下滑,房屋銷售及家庭購物四月開始下滑,製造業活動某些數據在五月也下滑,密西根大學調查的消費者情緒指數六月份初步數據顯示顯著下跌。供應鏈問題似乎在一些領域已有改善,如一般零售商品等,但在某些領域惡化,像是建築材料。

On balance, the available indicators suggested that private domestic final purchases were increasing at a slower pace in the second quarter than in the first quarter. And with the available trade data for April pointing to a rebound in exports and a moderation in import growth in the second quarter, GDP growth appeared to be rebounding after having declined in the first quarter. 

平衡下來,既有數據顯示最終國內民間消費第二季比第一季些許成長,四月可用數據顯示出口正在反彈,進口也適度成長,GPD 在第一季下滑後,在第二季看似反彈。

Inflation abroad moved higher, driven by further increases in consumer energy and food prices as well as some additional broadening of price pressures to core goods and services. Central banks around the world further tightened their monetary policy stances to curb high inflation.

外國的通膨上升,原因在於消費用能源及食品價格上升,以及廣泛的核心產品及服務價格上升壓力。各國央行開始緊縮貨幣政策以壓制通膨。

Staff Review of the Financial Situation 

金融環境檢視

The stock price declines were largely associated with mixed corporate earnings news early in the period and increasing concerns about the economic outlook amid global policy tightening. One-month option-implied volatility on the S&P 500 index— the VIX—increased moderately, on balance, remaining elevated relative to its historical distribution and significantly above average pre-pandemic levels.

股市大致因為期初企業財報有好有壞及貨幣緊縮對經濟前景的影響而下跌。一月期選擇權顯示標普 500指數波動率適度上升,高於歷史平均,且大幅高於疫情前。

Spreads on investment-grade and, to a greater extent, speculative grade corporate bonds widened notably, on net, reaching levels comparable with those at the end of 2018. This widening of spreads was associated with increased concerns about the outlook for corporate credit amid monetary policy tightening. 

投資級及投機性公司債利差擴大,達到2018年底的水準,這跟貨幣政策緊縮下,大家擔心企業還債信用度未來會被影響。

In domestic credit markets, financing conditions for most businesses and households remained generally accommodative over the intermeeting period. Credit remained widely available, particularly to higher-rated firms and consumers with higher credit scores. 

國內信用市場對企業及家庭來說,從上次會議迄今,仍然寬鬆。對於高評級企業及高信用分數的消費者來說,信用普遍無限制。

Gross nonfinancial corporate bond issuance slowed in May, especially among speculative-grade issuers, amid elevated market volatility and high yields. 

在市場波動及利率都提高的狀況下,非金融公司債淨發行量在五月減緩,特別是投機行債劵。

Staff Economic Outlook 

經濟前景

The projection for U.S. economic activity prepared by the staff for the June FOMC meeting implied a trajectory for real GDP that was lower than in the May projection. The staff continued to project that GDP growth would rebound in the second quarter and remain solid over the remainder of the year. 

美國經濟活動前景六月份會議時低於五月時的預測。聯準會預測第二季 GDP 會反彈並,且下半年將保持強勁。

However, monetary policy was assumed to be less accommodative than in the previous projection, and the recent and prospective tightening of financial conditions led the staff to reduce its GDP growth forecast for the second half of 2022 and for 2023. The level of real GDP was still expected to remain well above potential over the projection period, though the gap was projected to narrow significantly this year and to narrow a little further next year.

然而,貨幣政策可能不會像之前一樣,如此寬鬆,最近及對於未來的金融緊縮狀況,始我們
降低 2022 年下半年及 2023 年上半年的 GDP 成長預測。實質 GPD 在上述預測期間仍遠大於可能數值,不過差異質正在縮小,明年會更小。

Labor market conditions also were expected to remain very tight, albeit somewhat less so than in the previous projection. With regard to PCE price inflation, the staff revised up its projection for the second half of 2022 in response to stronger-than-expected wage growth and the staff’s assessment that the boost to inflation from supply– demand imbalances in the economy, including in food and energy markets, would be more persistent than previously assumed. 

勞動市場狀況也預測將保持緊繃,即使未比先前預測。至於 PCE 的通膨,我們因為薪資成長高於預期,上修 2022 年下半年預測,且包括食品及能源的供給及需求將影響通膨更久。

All told, total PCE price inflation was expected to be 5.0 percent in 2022, while core inflation was expected to be 4.1 percent. PCE price inflation was then expected to step down to 2.4 percent in 2023 and to 2.0 percent in 2024, as energy prices were forecast to decline and as supply–demand imbalances were projected to diminish because of slowing aggregate demand and an easing of supply constraints. 

綜上,PCE 通膨 2022 年預期會是 5%,核心通膨為 4.1%,2023 年 PCE 通膨為 2.4%,並於 2024 年降到 2.0%,能源價格預測會隨著供給及需求因總需求下降及總供給瓶頸釋放,逐漸平衡而下跌。

Participants’ Views on Current Conditions and the Economic Outlook

與會者當前情況及經濟前景觀點

In their discussion of current economic conditions, participants noted that overall economic activity appeared to have picked up after edging down in the first quarter. Job gains had been robust in recent months, and the unemployment rate had remained low. Inflation remained elevated, reflecting supply and demand imbalances related to the pandemic, higher energy prices, and broader price pressures. 

當前經濟狀況討論後,與會者認知,整體經濟活動看似在第一季下跌後,已有加速。就業職缺增加量近月穩健,失業率持續保持地點。通膨率高漲,反應了因疫情、能源價格上漲及廣泛的價格壓力導致的供給需求失衡狀況。

Participants stated that they were highly attentive to inflation risks. With regard to the economic outlook, participants noted that recent indicators suggested that real GDP growth was expanding in the current quarter, with consumption spending remaining strong. Participants generally judged that growth in business fixed investment appeared to be slowing, and activity in the housing sector appeared to be softening, in part as a result of a sharp rise in mortgage rates. 

與會者闡述將會密切關注通膨風險。針對經濟前景,近期指標顯示實質 GDP 成長本季擴大。消費維持強勁。企業固定投資似乎減緩,房地產也因為房貸利率上升而放緩。

Participants indicated that they had revised down their projections of real GDP growth for this year, consistent with ongoing supply chain disruptions and tighter financial conditions. Participants noted that the imbalance between supply and demand across a wide range of product markets was contributing to upward pressure on inflation. 

受到持續的供應鏈問題及金融緊縮環境影響,實質 GDP 今年預測下修。各類產品廣泛的供給需求失衡推升了通膨壓力。

Several participants indicated that some of their contacts reported that the pace of consumer spending, though strong, was beginning to moderate. One reason cited for this moderation was that the purchasing power of households was being reduced by higher prices for food, energy, and other essentials. 

民間消費雖然穩健,但是有減弱跡象,其中一項原因是因為消費力隨食品、能源及其他關鍵物品價格上升而削弱。

In many industries, the ability of firms to meet demand continued to be limited by labor shortages and supply chain bottlenecks. Firms relying on international sources for their inputs were seen as encountering particularly acute supply chain disruptions. Supply constraints, labor shortages, and rising input costs were also reportedly limiting energy and agricultural producers’ ability to take advantage of the higher prices of their products by investing and expanding their production capacity. 

許多產業因為缺工及供應鏈瓶頸而無法提供足夠產品或服務。依賴進口零件的廠商受到供應鏈問題的影響更大。供應鏈瓶頸、缺工及進口價格上升導致能源及食品生產商無法即使利用現在的高價格狀況,大量投資並擴產。

A couple of participants raised the possibility that tight labor markets would spur investment in automation by firms, boosting labor productivity. While labor markets were anticipated to remain tight in the near term, participants expected labor demand and supply to come into better balance over time, helping to ease upward pressure on wages and prices. 

缺工狀況可能導致企業加快投資自動化系統,強化生產力。雖然現在勞動力吃緊,但是仍然預期勞動力供給需求平衡將會逐漸恢復,減少薪資及通膨上漲壓力。

Participants observed that a return of inflation to the 2 percent objective was necessary for creating conditions conducive to a sustainably strong labor market over time. In discussing potential policy actions at upcoming meetings, participants continued to anticipate that ongoing increases in the target range for the federal funds rate would be appropriate to achieve the Committee’s objectives. In particular, participants judged that an increase of 50 or 75 basis points would likely be appropriate at the next meeting. 

通膨回到 2% 對於穩定且穩健的勞動市場而言是必須的。針對後續政策,與會者預期將持續升息,以達到聯準會目標,尤其是在下個會議升息 50 到 75 個基點是合適的。

Participants concurred that the economic outlook warranted moving to a restrictive stance of policy, and they recognized the possibility that an even more restrictive stance could be appropriate if elevated inflation pressures were to persist.

經濟狀況支撐限縮性政策態度,如果通膨持續不降的話,未來可能更加緊縮。

Participants recognized that policy firming could slow the pace of economic growth for a time, but they saw the return of inflation to 2 percent as critical to achieving maximum employment on a sustained basis. 

政策緊縮可能會短期減緩經濟成長,但是將通膨調整到 2% 對於穩定的最大化的就業率而言至關重要。

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Committee voted to authorize and direct the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, until instructed otherwise, to execute transactions in the SOMA in accordance with the following domestic policy directive, for release at 2:00 p.m.: “Effective June 16, 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee directs the Desk to:

結尾,聯準會投票授權,指導聯準會紐約銀行,執行以下事項:

  • Undertake open market operations as necessary to maintain the federal funds rate in a target range of 1½ to 1¾ percent. 
  • 運用公開市場操作,維持聯邦基金利率於 1.25% 至 1.75% 之間。
  • Conduct overnight repurchase agreement operations with a minimum bid rate of 1.75 percent and with an aggregate operation limit of $500 billion; the aggregate operation limit can be temporarily increased at the discretion of the Chair.
  • 以最低利率 1.75%,總額 5千億來執行隔夜重購,聯準會主席視狀況可短暫調高限制。
  • Conduct overnight reverse repurchase agreement operations at an offering rate of 1.55 percent and with a per-counterparty limit of $160 billion per day; the per-counterparty limit can be temporarily increased at the discretion of the Chair. 
  • 以 1.55% 利率執行逆回購,每交易對象限額為 1600 億美元。聯準會主席可視狀況短暫調整額度。

簡析

就業數據良好,支撐持續升息

觀察近幾次聯準會報告皆指出,美國就業狀況良好,失業率維持 50 年來低點,且職缺遠比失業人數高許多,甚至高過兩倍,預期聯準會將會在通膨數據為受控制及在就業狀況不過於惡化的狀況下持續升息,以達國會賦予聯準會最大就業率及穩定物價的雙重目標。

投資級與非投資級公司債利差擴大,可以鎖定買進

先前掌握美國 10 年期公債殖利率達 3% 的時候,個人認為可以逐次買進摸底,公債還能跌多少?現在根據聯準會會議紀錄,投資級與非投資級公司債利差擴大,可能顯示非投資級公司債有超賣現象,投資人可以選定買進。聯準會比較的利差基點是 2018 年,而 2018 年正逢中美貿易戰,股市也是上沖下洗,根據 FRED Economic Data 網站資料顯示
  •  2018/12/3 時, BBB級公司債指數殖利率為 4.8 %,高收益公司債指數殖利率為 7.08%,利差為 2.28%。
  • 2022/7/5 時,BBB級公司債指數殖利率為 4.99 %,高收益公司債指數殖利率為 8.84%,利差為 3.85%。
ICE BofA 美國高收益選擇權調整後利差也高達 5.99%,高過 2019 年 1 月高點的 5.99%,除非利差持續擴大,不然高收益公司債可能也是好選擇。

高收益公司債 HYG 舉例來說,目前價格再跌下去,可能會跌到近 5 年低點。

股市波動率大於歷史平均,回降時股市可能觸底x

此次會議是在 2022 年 6 月 14 至 15 日召開的,當時已經在討論股市大幅下跌,波動率大於歷史平均甚至遠大於疫情前的水準,開會時的 6 月 14 日到會議紀錄公開的 7 月 7日,標普 500 指數無明顯變化,後續若是波動率 (VIX指數) 回歸歷史水平,股市可能就已觸底,另外,會議紀錄也提到先前企業財報有好有壞也導致了這波股市下跌,凸顯了股票下跌可能也已經反應了財報狀況。

勞工薪資成長,促使企業投資自動化生產

聯準會近來多次提及美國就業狀況良好,職缺太多,勞動力人口不足,企業聘請員工的薪資大幅成長,甚至導致通貨膨脹,本次會議紀錄提及企業有可能轉向投資自動化生產,這在勞工成本上升且缺工的狀況下相當合理,預期自動化生產相關產業如生產用 5G、人工智能及相關設備等未來將蓬勃發展。

來源: 
  • Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee June 14–15, 2022. Board o Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
  • ICE BofA BBB US Corporate Index Effective Yield. FRED. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/BAMLC0A4CBBBEY. 2022/7/7.
  • ICE BofA US High Yield Index Effective Yield. FRED. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/BAMLH0A0HYM2EY. 2022/7/7.

2022年7月2日 星期六

聯準會2020年貨幣政策檢視

聯準會美幾年就會檢討一次其貨幣政策,以下是2020年聯準會完成的貨幣政策檢視。

前言

In 2019, the Federal Reserve launched its first-ever comprehensive and public review of the monetary policy framework—the strategy, tools, and communication practices—it employs to achieve its congressionally mandated goals of maximum employment and price stability. At the time the Fed announced its review, employment and inflation were near the Fed's objectives, making it a good time to step back and consider whether the U.S. monetary policy framework could be improved to better meet future challenges.

2019 年的時候,聯準會史無前例地全面公開的檢視貨幣政策架構——策略、工具、溝通做法——聯準會用來達成國會要求的就業最大化及物價穩定目標。在聯準會發布這篇檢視報告的時候,就業率及物價接近聯準會的目標,讓當時成為一個好時機,退一步衡量美國貨幣政策架構是否可以進一步改善,以面對未來挑戰。

Moreover, good institutional practice suggests that routine self-evaluation is healthy for any organization. For the Fed, however, a fresh look had become particularly important because changes in the economic environment suggested that revisions to the existing framework could be helpful to policymakers in addressing future challenges. In particular, the neutral level of the federal funds rate (the Fed's policy interest rate)—the level that keeps the economy on an even keel when employment and inflation are close to their objectives—appears to have fallen in the United States and abroad. This decline increases the risk that the policy rate will fall to its effective lower bound near zero, thus constraining the ability to support the economy through reductions in the federal funds rate and, consequently, increasing risks that employment and inflation will fall below levels consistent with the dual mandate goals.

另外,定期自我檢視的良好組織做法對任何一個組長都是健康的。但是,對於聯準會而言,一個重新檢視已變成特別的重要,因為經濟環境的變化表示當前架構的修訂對於政策制訂者應付未來挑戰來說,相當有幫助。特別是聯邦基準利率(聯準會的政策利率)的中間值——當就業率跟物價接近目標時,讓經濟保持平衡的值——似乎在美國及全球都已降低。這樣的降低增加了政策利率降到有效最低利率近似零利率的風險,因此限制了降低聯邦基金利率以支撐經濟的能力,導致了就業率及物價無法達標的風險。

The review took the Federal Reserve's statutory mandate as given as well as the FOMC's previously articulated longer-run inflation objective of 2 percent. 

這份檢視報告將國會賦予目標及聯邦公開市場委員會先前闡明的長線 2% 通膨目標納入考量。

策略

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is firmly committed to fulfilling its statutory mandate from the Congress of promoting maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates. The Committee seeks to explain its monetary policy decisions to the public as clearly as possible. Such clarity facilitates well-informed decisionmaking by households and businesses, reduces economic and financial uncertainty, increases the effectiveness of monetary policy, and enhances transparency and accountability, which are essential in a democratic society.

聯邦公開市場委員會將堅持滿足國會賦予的就業最大化、穩定物價及長線適中利率的目標。委員會將致力說明其貨幣政策予社會大眾。如此的清楚性將幫助家庭或企業執行決策,降低經濟及金融不確定性,增加貨幣政策效率,強化透明度及職責,這些對民主社會都很重要。

Employment, inflation, and long-term interest rates fluctuate over time in response to economic and financial disturbances. Monetary policy plays an important role in stabilizing the economy in response to these disturbances. The Committee's primary means of adjusting the stance of monetary policy is through changes in the target range for the federal funds rate. The Committee judges that the level of the federal funds rate consistent with maximum employment and price stability over the longer run has declined relative to its historical average.

就業率、通膨及長線利率會隨著經濟及金融波動而變化。貨幣政策在這些波動狀況下對於穩定物價扮演了一個重要角色。委員會主要調整貨幣政策步伐的工具為改變聯邦基金利率目標範圍。委員會與就業率最大化及穩定物價一致的聯邦基金利率是否長線看來,低於歷史平均值。

Therefore, the federal funds rate is likely to be constrained by its effective lower bound more frequently than in the past. Owing in part to the proximity of interest rates to the effective lower bound, the Committee judges that downward risks to employment and inflation have increased. The Committee is prepared to use its full range of tools to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals.

因此,聯邦基金利率非常可能與過往相比,更常被有效最低利率限制。部分原因在於利率長期接近最低值,委員會評估,就業率及通膨向下的風險已經增加,並且已準備好運用手邊所有可用工具達到就業極大化及物價穩定目標。

The maximum level of employment is a broad-based and inclusive goal that is not directly measurable and changes over time owing largely to nonmonetary factors that affect the structure and dynamics of the labor market. Consequently, it would not be appropriate to specify a fixed goal for employment; rather, the Committee's policy decisions must be informed by assessments of the shortfalls of employment from its maximum level, recognizing that such assessments are necessarily uncertain and subject to revision. 

就業率極大化是個廣泛且概括性的目標,無法直接量測,且時常變動,原因大部分在於影響就業市場架構及動態的非貨幣相關因素。因此,定調固定的就業目標並不適當;委員會政策決策反而必須基於未達最大就業率的相關評估,且認知這些評估項目一定是不確定且需要持續修正的。

The Committee considers a wide range of indicators in making these assessments. The inflation rate over the longer run is primarily determined by monetary policy, and hence the Committee has the ability to specify a longer-run goal for inflation. The Committee reaffirms its judgment that inflation at the rate of 2 percent, as measured by the annual change in the price index for personal consumption expenditures, is most consistent over the longer run with the Federal Reserve's statutory mandate.

委員會針對這些評估考量了廣泛因子。長線通膨主要由貨幣政策決定,因此委員會有能力決定長線通膨目標。委員會再次強調其通膨 2%的評估,而通膨是根據年度個人消費物價指數量測,這也是與聯準會賦予的國會目標最為一致。

The Committee judges that longer-term inflation expectations that are well anchored at 2 percent foster price stability and moderate long-term interest rates and enhance the Committee's ability to promote maximum employment in the face of significant economic disturbances.

委員會評估,長線通膨 2% 的預期可以帶來物價穩定及長線適當利率,且可強化委員會在經濟動盪中,推動就業極大化。

In order to anchor longer-term inflation expectations at this level, the Committee seeks to achieve inflation that averages 2 percent over time, and therefore judges that, following periods when inflation has been running persistently below 2 percent, appropriate monetary policy will likely aim to achieve inflation moderately above 2 percent for some time.

為了讓長線通膨預期定在這個水準,委員會將致力讓平均通膨達到 2%,並且因此評估在長時間通膨都低於 2% 的狀況下,可能的貨幣政策會讓通膨適度高於 2% 一陣子。

Monetary policy actions tend to influence economic activity, employment, and prices with a lag. In setting monetary policy, the Committee seeks over time to mitigate shortfalls of employment from the Committee's assessment of its maximum level and deviations of inflation from its longer-run goal. Moreover, sustainably achieving maximum employment and price stability depends on a stable financial system. 

貨幣政策改變影響到經濟活動、就業率及物價時,常常會延遲。訂定貨幣政策時,委員會會隨時尋求應對未能達到評估的最大就業率及偏離長線通膨目標的各項因素。並且,穩定的達到最大就業率及穩定物價仰賴穩定的金融系統。

Therefore, the Committee's policy decisions reflect its longer-run goals, its medium-term outlook, and its assessments of the balance of risks, including risks to the financial system that could impede the attainment of the Committee's goals.

因此,委員會的政策決定反應了其長線目標、中期展望及各項風險的平衡評估,包括可能危害委員會達成目標的金融系統風險。

The Committee's employment and inflation objectives are generally complementary. However, under circumstances in which the Committee judges that the objectives are not complementary, it takes into account the employment shortfalls and inflation deviations and the potentially different time horizons over which employment and inflation are projected to return to levels judged consistent with its mandate.

委員會的就業及物價目標通常是互補的。然而,當委員會評估這兩個目標不能互補時,

The Committee intends to review these principles and to make adjustments as appropriate at its annual organizational meeting each January, and to undertake roughly every five years a thorough public review of its monetary policy strategy, tools, and communication practices.

委員會每年一月將會檢視上述原則予以適當修正,並且大概每五年針對貨幣政策策略、工具及溝通方式實施公開完整檢視。

感想

  • 雖然這是聯準會2020年就完成的報告,但是預期到2025年前,聯準會將平均通膨訂在 2% 應該不會變。
  • 雖然說,聯準會願意讓通膨超過 2% 一陣子,但是現在的通膨相當嚴重,不得不升息。
  • 目前美國就業率良好,在就業率狀況良好之下,聯準會更沒有理由升息,甚至打擊到就業市場或是消費需求,來降低需求。
  • 美股跌了又跌,標普500指數來到3825點,與2021年7月水準相當,也就是一年前的高點,從走勢圖來看,跌得又快有陡,或者說是接近新冠肺炎危機底部2020年3月起漲的半山腰,技術上來看,完全跌回谷底也不太可能,半山腰算是目前低點不是不可能,後續還要觀察美股財報狀況,來評估經濟是否大規模衰退。



來源: Review of Monetary Policy Strategy, Tools, and Communications. Board of Governenrs of the Federal Researve System.https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/review-of-monetary-policy-strategy-tools-and-communications.htm.August 27, 2020.

看完2022/9/22 聯準會記者會感想

美國聯準會 2022/9/22 再次升息 3 個基點,也就是 0.75%。 這次升息,光是看升息幅度,真的還不夠,必須還要聽聽看聯準會主席在記者會說了什麼。 我看完原文記者會的感想是,聯準會決心要打擊通膨,打擊的方式包括,維持利率緊縮 (maintain a restrictiv...