The U.S. Federal Reserve Thursday raised the rate it charges banks for emergency loans by a quarter percentage point, but emphasized that the step didn't represent a broader tightening of credit. In a widely expected move, the U.S. central bank said the increase in the discount rate to 75 basis points from half a point was part of its step away from its emergency-lending efforts. The increase will be effective from Friday.
"Like the closure of a number of extraordinary credit programs earlier this month, these changes are intended as a further normalization of the Federal Reserve's lending facilities," the Fed said in a statement.
"Sure, the Federal Reserve made it very clear on Wednesday that while it would soon be raising its discount rate, this should NOT be taken as an indication that policy was being tightened. But we’re pretty sure that’s exactly how it will be taken, what with markets being markets…The discount rate, of course, is the rate charged to banks visiting the discount window seeking emergency funding. Traditionally it stands about 100bps north of the widely followed Fed Funds rate, but was chopped to 0.5 per cent during the crisis as part of the bail-out.
The penalty usually associated with banks using this Fed facility is now being gradually restored. Thursday’s move increased the rate to 0.75 per cent. January’s Fed minutes, released on Wednesday, stated:
Participants generally agreed that such steps to return the Federal Reserve’s liquidity provision to a normal footing would be technical adjustments to reflect the notable diminution of the market strains that had made the creation of new liquidity facilities and expansion of existing facilities necessary and emphasized that such steps would not indicate a change in the Committee’s assessment of the appropriate stance of monetary policy or the proper time to begin moving to a less accommodative policy stance.
Note that Treasury yields at the longer end were on the march earlier on Thursday – seemingly a reaction to (well anticipated) news that some $126bn of US government debt will be auctioned next week."
In a widely expected move, the U.S. central bank said the increase in the discount rate to 75 basis points from half a point was part of its step away from its emergency-lending efforts. The increase will be effective from Friday.
It was quite funny. I placed a short in the Euro late afternoon with a 75 pips profit target. Went to grab a coffee and 5 min later came back and was amazed to see my trade closed on target. Nice way to end the day