Careful readers of FOMC communications will note that in addition to talking about actual inflation, the committee often talks about inflation expectations. Sandra Pianalto, the president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, explains the important role that...

An examination of GNP forecasts and their implications for monetary policy, showing that although such forecasts have lessened uncertainty about the economy's future course, the errors are still too large to justify basing monetary policy on the near-term GNP outlook alone.

An examination of the ability of foreign exchange intervention to signal upcoming changes in monetary policy, showing that for such a signaling mechanism to make sense, the link between intervention and monetary policy should be clear, the implied policy should be credible, and information about...

What is the best way to achieve price stability? Conventional wisdom says that a tough, independent central bank is all that is necessary. However, a new view—the fiscal theory of the price level—argues that an appropriate fiscal policy is also required, no matter how tough the central bank...

In the United States, the Federal Reserve has responsibility for both monetary policy and bank supervision. Other countries separate these functions to varying degrees. What lies behind this global diversity? Should a central bank be charged with conducting monetary policy and regulating banks,...

A discussion of the relationship between monetary and fiscal policy, concluding that sound policy, be it monetary or fiscal, should have clear objectives, verifiable outcomes, and rules that are consistently followed.

An examination of the monetary policy goals of the Federal Reserve System, with a discussion of the role of the M1 target.