Ed Yardeni on the New Fed Chairman
Ed Yardeni is chief investment strategist for Oak Associates, a mutual fund and money-management company. This comment was contained in an e-mail to clients and others on Tuesday morning.
"The market is drifting. Investors are desperately seeking some leadership as both Energy and Materials have stumbled recently. On Wednesday, investors will start assessing Ben Bernanke's leadership of the Fed. From what I've read of his speeches, I am impressed with the breadth of his knowledge, his intellectual powers, and his open-minded pragmatism. In many ways, he reminds me of the former Fed chairman. I think investors will also become increasingly impressed as they see him in action. The markets may be anticipating that Bernanke will continue Greenspan's measured raising of the federal funds rate on a de facto basis. That's my view: I expect a 25 basis-points hike in the federal funds rate following each of the next two FOMC meetings, on March 28 and May 10."

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
Social Security New Rule: Overpayments Must Be Paid Back 100%. Why It Matters
As of March 27, the SSA will require beneficiaries who have been accidentally overpaid to repay 100% of the money, reversing a previous policy that allowed for only 10% recoupment.
By Kathryn Pomroy Published
-
Medicare and Medicaid Employees Offered New Buyouts: What You Need to Know
Federal HHS workers who inspect food, research diseases and administer Medicare and Medicaid are offered $25,000 buyouts
By Kathryn Pomroy Published
-
Trump’s Whirlwind Month of Crypto Moves
The Kiplinger Letter The Trump administration wants to strengthen U.S. leadership in the cryptocurrency industry by providing regulatory clarity.
By Rodrigo Sermeño Published
-
Donald Trump Tests His Limits
The Kiplinger Letter President Encounters Legal Obstacles in Pursuit of Ambitious Agenda.
By Matthew Housiaux Published
-
Another Down Year for Agriculture
The Kiplinger Letter Farmers brace for falling incomes, widening trade deficits
By Matthew Housiaux Published
-
What To Know if You’re in the Market for a New Car This Year
The Kiplinger Letter Buying a new car will get a little easier, but don’t expect many deals.
By David Payne Published
-
What Could Derail the Economy This Year?
The Letter While the outlook for the U.S. economy is mostly favorable, there are plenty of risks that bear watching.
By David Payne Published
-
Three Ways President Trump Could Impact the Economy
The Letter Some of Trump's top priorities could boost economic growth, but others risk fueling inflation.
By David Payne Published
-
10 Predictions for 2025 from The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter As 2025 arrives, here are our top 10 forecasts for the new year.
By Letter Editors Published
-
Europe Faces Economic and Political Headwinds Next Year
The Letter Challenges for Europe: Potential tariffs, high energy prices and more competition from China will weigh on the bloc in 2025.
By Rodrigo Sermeño Published