Macro Digest: Fed launches massive initiative to backstop the system

The US Federal Reserve just announced a massive new programme to backstop the US financial system, by far the most important move yet by the Fed to bring relief. The important thing here is that the Fed is ensuring that the marginal cost of capital is anchored after the recent explosion in credit spreads - hence the focus on credit-impacted instruments in its new menu of asset purchases.

This is the first step in controlling yields all along the US treasury yield curve - full yield-curve-control is likely forthcoming. US equity futures and long treasuries were heavily bid in immediate reaction to the initiative.

The new FOMC statement.

Details of the new plan, which includes unlimited QE, purchase of commercial MBS, corporate debt and more.