The topic of whether the Federal Reserve can see bubbles in advance, and what they can do about them, is hotly debated. The price of an earning asset depends directly on the interest rate. This is because of time preference. It is better to have your cash today than tomorrow. The Fed’s problem is that the calculation depends on a rate of interest that it heavily influences. Its analysis is therefore circular and self-fulfilling. It’s like taking a picture of a painting. Therefore the Fed cannot spot bubbles.
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