Time, The Biggest Risk

If there is still no current or present indication of rising economic fortunes, and there isn’t, then the “reflation” idea turns instead to what might be different this time as compared to the others. In 2013 and 2014, it was QE3 and particularly the intended effects (open ended and faster paced, a bigger commitment by the Fed to purportedly do whatever it took) upon expectations that supposedly set it apart from the failures of QE’s 1 and 2. This time it is more fiscal than monetary, a potential difference that isn’t lost on “reflation” believers.

There is every reason to suspect that a broad array of “stimulus” will be unleashed at some point, one that will include tax cuts corporate as well as personal income (rumored). The repeal of Obamacare is thought to be helpful in releasing the hiring impulse particularly for small businesses, and even Dodd-Frank’s impending removal could in theory restart bank leverage.

Even if you believe that all those things together or separately will achieve the sought after “difference”, it is becoming clearer that they will be possibilities to watch in 2018 rather than 2017. The tax cut package which was promised in detail weeks ago is nowhere near ready for public evaluation (apparently). The repeal of Obamacare has been far from ideal so far, where even in friendly circles it is being described in terms once used for the passage of Obamacare itself. As to the last, Dodd-Frank, it may be the case that it doesn’t happen at all.

Here’s the latest indication Wall Street regulations won’t be gutted anytime soon: Republicans who write financial laws are starting to focus on other things.

The Senate Banking Committee, led by Mike Crapo, on Thursday is scheduled to consider a measure about publishing research on exchange-traded funds, and a collection of other narrow bills with bipartisan support. 

In the House, the Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing about flood insurance, further stalling the rollout of Chairman Jeb Hensarling’s plan to eliminate laws enacted in response to the financial crisis of 2008. 

Reality is setting in on Capitol Hill that rolling back the Dodd-Frank banking law won’t be quick or easy — even though it’s a priority for Republican President Donald Trump, who says the measure is hurting the economy. Bank stocks have rallied partly because investors expect change.