Federal Reserve Buys $102.9 Billion in January, QT Incoming

The Federal Reserve is still lying about tapering. Purchases amounted to $102.9 billion in the four weeks ending in January. They're supposed to buy $45 billion this month, $30 the next, and a final $15 billion in March.

Beginning in February, the Committee will increase its holdings of Treasury securities by at least $20 billion per month and of agency mortgage‑backed securities by at least $10 billion per month.

How is this not a scandal? Crude oil is at a 7-year high, interest rates are breaking out, the Fed claims to be fighting inflation, but it is doing 100 percent more asset buying than claimed. It also did more in November and December. While the Fed has technically reduced buying in January, it increased QE in December. It shrank the balance sheet by $33 billion at the end of the month to hit its target. The Fed is $50 billion over target heading into February...will they reduce the balance sheet by $50 billlion or do zero asset buying in February? When does this farce end? Finally, consider how the stock market is performing with the Federal Reserve still giving near 100 percent QE support.