The ECB Takes Another Step Toward Reining In Global Liquidity
Today the European Central Bank (ECB) raised its policy interest rate 25 basis points to a level of 4.0%. Today's rate hike brings the cumulative increase to an even 200 basis points since the ECB started hiking its policy rate in December 2005. Comments by ECB President Trichet suggest that the ECB is not yet finished raising its policy interest rate.
Of late, there has been much ink dedicated to the notion of "global liquidity." When it comes to central banks' contribution to global liquidity, the place to look is at the growth in their respective and collective balance sheets. On a year-over-year basis, after growing at about 10-1/2% at the end of December 2002, growth in the Fed's balance sheet has moderated to about 4-1/4% at the end of May 2007 (see Chart 1). Although this is still a rapid rate of growth relative to U.S. population growth, at least it has slowed significantly. There is a lot of talk about Japan being a major source of global liquidity growth. Well, the central bank of Japan is not the source of that liquidity growth. On a year-over-year basis, the Japanese monetary base contracted 5.7% as of May.
Chart 1
If you want to know which central banks are flooding the world with liquidity, look to the People's Bank of China (PBOC) and the ECB. Chart 2 shows that year-over-year growth in the balance sheet of the PBOC, although having slowed from almost 38% in September 2005, was still growing at a hefty 26-3/4% as of March of this year.
Chart 2
Although no match in terms of growth rates for the PBOC, the ECB has also been a major supplier of global liquidity, as shown in Chart 3. On a year-over-year basis, growth in the ECB's balance sheet at the end of May was a relatively-high 9.5%. But, at least that's down from 17.9% growth in January 2006. Notice that as the ECB has started raising its policy interest rate, growth in the ECB's balance sheet has moderated, with a lag. If the ECB continues to raise its policy rate, as widely expected, at least this source of global liquidity will be less plentiful.
Chart 3
Lastly, recent and prospective ECB interest rate increases will begin to impede growth in Eurozone domestic demand. At about that time, the slower growth in U.S. consumer spending will impede the growth of Eurozone export growth. In other words, current "hot" Eurozone economic growth is going to meet a "cold front" toward the end of this year.
Tweet
Author: Paul Kasriel
Paul L. Kasriel
Director of Economic Research
The Northern Trust Company
Economic Research Department
Positive Economic Commentary
"The economics of what is, rather than what you might like it to be."
50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60675
Paul joined the economic research unit of The Northern Trust Company in 1986 as Vice President and Economist, being named Senior Vice President and Director of Economic Research in 2000. His economic and interest rate forecasts are used both internally and by clients. The accuracy of the Economic Research Department's forecasts has consistently been highly-ranked in the Blue Chip survey of about 50 forecasters over the years. To that point, Paul received the prestigious 2006 Lawrence R. Klein Award for having the most accurate economic forecast among the Blue Chip survey participants for the years 2002 through 2005. The accuracy of Paul's 2008 economic forecast was ranked in the top five of The Wall Street Journal survey panel of economists. In January 2009, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes cited Paul as one of the few who identified early on the formation of the housing bubble and foresaw the economic and financial market havoc that would ensue after the bubble inevitably burst. Through written commentaries containing his straightforward and often nonconsensus analysis of economic and financial market issues, Paul has developed a loyal following in the financial community. The Northern's economic website was listed as one of the top ten most interesting by The Wall Street Journal. Paul is the co-author of a book entitled Seven Indicators That Move Markets.
Paul began his career as a research economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He has taught courses in finance at the DePaul University Kellstadt Graduate School of Business and at the Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Paul serves on the Economic Advisory Committee of the American Bankers Association.
The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Northern Trust Company. The information herein is based on sources which The Northern Trust Company believes to be reliable, but we cannot warrant its accuracy or completeness. Such information is subject to change and is not intended to influence your investment decisions.
Copyright © 2005-2012 The Northern Trust Company
Circle Us