"Federal
Reserve officials have mapped out a strategy for winding down an
unprecedented $85 billion-a-month bond-buying program meant to spur the
economy – an effort to preserve flexibility and manage highly unpredictable market expectations."
What does this mean? Why would the Federal Reserve reveal that they have "mapped a strategy" to stop their bond-buying binge?
First, the "what does it mean" question - nothing. It means nothing. No one expects the Fed to take any action in the immediate future.
The answer to the second question is more revealing; the Federal Reserve knows their policies have come to have a direct effect on the equity markets. This "leaked" bit of information was designed to gauge the reaction of the stock market to the inevitable end of the bond- buying program. The last thing they want is an overshoot to the downside in the market, so they are conducting research into possible actions to take.
The great unknown is the effects of the ongoing currency war. The devaluation of the Yen makes the Fed's job infinitely more difficult by strengthening the dollar. It has also put immense pressure on the Eurogroup to act also.1
What to do?
I've been giving the warning that the current rise in the stock market is artificial and unsustainable. If you refuse to take my word for it, perhaps you would be interested in Bank of America's recently released strategy;
1. Slow down of asset purchases
2. Slow down and then stop reinvestments
3. Raise short-term rates
4. Begin sell down of asset portfolios
1. I plan to do an article about the currency wars soon. The vast majority of people could care less about the price of money in Japan, but they should be very, very concerned, as it will have a profound effect on everyone.