As expected, the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee (FOMC) lowered its federal funds target rate today from the 1.50% rate in place since October 8 to a new level of 1.00%.  The 1.00% rate matches the level between June 2003 and June 2004…and is also the lowest in 50 years.

The federal funds rate, the overnight rate on excess funds between financial institutions on an unsecured basis, remains arguably the most important interest rate of all…and is the rate upon which all other domestic short-term interest rates are based.

Regarding tight credit availability, the FOMC noted, “…the intensification of market turmoil is likely to exert additional restraint on spending, partly by further reducing the ability of households and businesses to obtain credit.”

Regarding inflation, the FOMC noted, “In light of the declines in the prices of energy and other commodities and the weaker prospects for economic activity, the Committee expects inflation to moderate in coming quarters to levels consistent with price stability.”

Low & High
Two developments yesterday testify to the emotional gyrations encompassing financial markets, businesses, and consumers.  The first of these was the worst consumer confidence reading on record (41 years).  The national media’s constant barrage of scary economic and financial news, combined with limited availability of credit, led the Conference Board’s consumer confidence index to plunge to 38.0, versus 61.4 in September.

Better news saw the Dow average rise 889 points (a one-day rise of 10.9%), the second largest one-day gain on record.  Stock market volatility?  The Dow’s average daily move of the past 10 days (both up and down) has been 400 points.  Never before has this level of market volatility been experienced.

Credit Flows
Ironically, the Fed rate cut will do little, other than provide some warm and fuzzy feelings.  The problem has not been the price of money (the interest rate).  The problem has involved the availability of money.

Steps announced in recent weeks by the Fed, the Treasury, and their global counterparts to boost the flow of credit are now being implemented, with favorable results in many cases.  Credit is slowly becoming more plentiful, with lower associated interest rates.

Look now for various ideas to be discussed and implemented to stabilize U.S. home prices and minimize home foreclosures.  That now seems to be the next target of opportunity…the next flavor of the week.