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March 23, 1984

Strictly Confidential (FR)

Class I FOMC

MONETARY POLICY ALTERNATIVES

Prepared for the Federal Open Market Committee
By the staff

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL (FR)
March 23,

CLASS I - FOMC

1984

MONETARY POLICY ALTERNATIVES
Recent developments
(1)

M1 expanded at an average annual rate of about 6-1/2 per-

cent during February and March, based on preliminary estimates for March.
For the December-to-March period M1 growth is estimated at around 8 percent, above the 7 percent rate of expansion specified by the Committee
and placing this aggregate in March in the upper half of its long-run
target range.

The pickup in M1 growth in the first quarter fell short

of the strengthening in GNP expansion, implying about a 5 percent increase, at an annual rate, in M1 velocity, some 3 percentage points faster
than in the second half of last year.
(2)

M2 grew at about 8-1/2 and 5 percent annual rates in

February and March, respectively, bringing growth from December to March
to an estimated 6-1/2 percent annual rate-somewhat below the 8 percent
path specified by the Committee--and leaving M2 in March in the lower
half of its long-run 6 to 9 percent range.

The more liquid components

of M2 have grown relatively rapidly in early 1984, but small time deposit
expansion has slowed sharply; this deceleration may partly reflect shifts
of deposits to IRA and Keogh balances, which are not included in the
aggregates; such shifts may not yet be fully reflected in the M2 seasonal
factors.

With the relatively slow growth of M2 early this year, its

velocity is estimated to have increased at an unusually rapid annual rate
of around 5-1/2 percent in the first quarter.
(3)

M3 expanded at an estimated 9-1/2 percent average annual

rate during February and March, and growth of this aggregate since

-2-

KEY MONETARY POLICY AGGREGATES
(Seasonally adjusted annual rates of growth)

Dec.

to

QIV to

Mar.e

Mar.e

6.5

8.0

7.2

8.6

5.0

6.4

6.8

5.8

10.0

9.1

8.4

8.9

Domestic nonfinancial debt

13.2

12.1

-

-

-

Bank credit

11.1

15.2

-

-

Nonborrowed reserves 2

9.9

24.9

-

-

Total reserves

7.6

19.3

-

-

12.8

10.3

--

-

Adjustment and seasonal
borrowing

712

562

7943

Excess reserves

613

948

6944

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.e

Ml

10.7

6.6

M2

5.5

M3

Money and Credit Aggregates

Reserve Measures1

Monetary base

Memo:

(Millions of dollars)

e--estimate based on partial data.
1. Growth rates of reserve measures are adjusted to remove the effects of
discontinuities resulting fram phased changes in reserve ratios under the
Monetary Control Act.
2. Includes special borrowing and other extended credit from the Federal
Reserve.
3. Average through March 21.
4. Average through March 14.

-3December is estimated at 8-1/2 percent, somewhat above the rate sought
by the FOMC.

M3 in March is at the upper end of its long-run range.

Issuance of large time deposits by both banks and thrifts picked up in
the first quarter reflecting strong credit growth at these institutions;
net inflows of funds to U.S. banks from their overseas offices were
relatively small through the first two months of the year.
(4) The debt of domestic nonfinancial sectors increased at an
average annual rate of 12-3/4 percent in January and February (as estimated from latest available data), up from around a 10-3/4 percent pace
in the fourth quarter as federal government borrowing surged (with an
associated large build-up in Treasury cash balances).

Nonfederal debt

expanded, on average, at about a 10 percent rate, close to the pace of
the fourth quarter, as business firms have stepped up both short- and
long-term borrowings and credit demands to finance housing and consumer
durables have remained strong.

In February, growth in nonfederal debt

is estimated to have been boosted by nearly a percentage point by borrowing associated with the Texaco-Getty merger.

Nonetheless, even after

allowance for borrowing related to the merger, debt of domestic nonfinancial sectors appears to be running above the FOMC's 8 to 11 percent band
set for 1984.
(5)

A somewhat more cautious approach to reserve management

by depository institutions has been evident in the period following the
advent of contemporaneous reserve requirements.

Excess reserves were

very high in the first full maintenance period under CRR, when the final
phasedown to lower reserve requirements also occurred, but they have
since dropped toward average levels prevailing prior to CRR.

Moreover,

-4at least until recently, depository institutions also appeared to have
been somewhat more reluctant to turn to the discount window particularly
over the first part of the two-week reserve period.

The nonborrowed

reserve paths during the intermeeting period were constructed assuming
$650 million of borrowing at the discount window.

Through mid-March

borrowing averaged around $600 million, but has risen to about $1 billion in the first part of the current reserve maintenance period, as
large banks appeared to show somewhat more willingness to borrow early
in a period, perhaps reflecting the tendency for federal funds to trade
at somewhat higher rates than previously.

Owing to the high volume of

excess reserves in February, and to strength in required reserves
accompanying growth in transaction deposits, total and nonborrowed
reserves expanded rapidly in February, but appear to be decreasing in
March as excess reserves have declined.
(6) Market interest rates have moved sharply higher over the
intermeeting period, generally by about 3/4 to 1 percentage point in
both short- and long-term sectors, in light of incoming data indicating
strong economic expansion and credit demands, little concrete evidence
that federal deficits will be substantially reduced, and growing expectation of a tightening in monetary policy.

Federal funds traded in a

9-1/2 to 9-3/4 percent range through most of the intermeeting period.
However, most recently, they have tended to trade around 10 percent or
over, partly in reflection of mid-March tax date pressures but also
partly in anticipation of monetary policy adjustments.

With business

loan demand strong and CD rates up around 3/4 of a point over the past
six weeks, the prime rate was increased from 11 to 11-1/2 percent.
Broad stock price indexes have declined 3 to 7 percent since the January

-5FOMC meeting, and are down 9 to 25 percent compared with record highs
set over the past year.
(7)

After dropping by 7 percent from the end of January

through early March, the weighted average exchange value of the dollar
has rebounded by 3 percent in recent weeks.

Factors contributing to

the dollar's decline included an improved outlook for the German and
other European economies, some concern over a possible rise in U.S.
inflation in the face of stronger-than-expected growth in U.S. economic
activity, and questions about the sustainability of huge foreign capital
inflows to the United States at current exchange rates.

Later in the

intermeeting period the dollar benefited from market participants'
perceptions that the Federal Reserve had or would soon begin to tighten
monetary policy to forestall a rekindling of inflation.

-6-

Prospective developments
(8)

The upper panel of the table below shows alternative

specifications for the monetary aggregates for the March-to-June period.
The associated federal funds rate ranges are shown in the middle panel,
and the implied growth of money from the fourth quarter base period to
June in the lower panel.

(More detailed data are given in the table

and charts on the following pages.)
Alt. A

Alt. B

Alt. C

8
8-3/4
9

6-1/2
8
8-1/2

5
7-1/4
8

6-1/2 to
10-1/2

7-1/2 to
11-1/2

8-1/2 to
12-1/2

7-1/2
7-3/4
9

7
7-1/2
8-3/4

6-1/4
7
8-1/2

Growth from March to June
Ml
M2
M3
Federal funds rate ranges
Implied growth from
QIV to June
M1
M2
M3
(9)

The specifications of alternative B, which are those

considered most consistent with the staff's GNP outlook, call for some
slowing of M1 growth from the pace of the December-to-March period,
although this aggregate would remain above the midpoint of its longerrun range in June.

Growth of M2 would be expected to accelerate, how-

ever, placing this aggregate near the middle of its range by mid-year,
while M3 growth would continue near the upper end of its range.

Given

the continuing strength of money and credit demands implicit in the
10-1/4 percent growth of nominal GNP forecast for the second quarter,
these specifications may involve some further firming of interest rates
over the intermeeting period and a relatively strong rise in velocity.
M1 velocity in the second quarter would probably expand at about a

Alternative Levels and Growth Rates for Key Monetary Aggregates
M1

M2

M3

Alt. A

Alt. B

Alt. C

Alt. A

Alt.

B

Alt. C

Alt. A

Alt. B

Alt. C

530.0
532.9
535.8

530.0
532.9
535.8

530.0
532.9
535.8

2206.1
2221.9
2231.1

2206.1
2221.9
2231.1

2206.1
2221.9
2231.1

2720.1
2742.7
2763.6

2720.1
2742.7
2763.6

2720.1
2742.7
2763.6

538.7
542.8
546.5

538.2
541.5
544.5

537.7
540.3
542.5

2245.6
2263.2
2279.9

2244.5
2260.4
2275.7

2243.8
2258.0
2271.5

2783.4
2805.0
2825.8

2782.5
2802.7
2822.3

2781.6
2800.4
2818.9

10.7
6.6
6.5

10.7
6.6
6.5

10.7
6.6
6.5

5.5
8.6
5.0

5.5
8.6
5.0

5.5
8.6
5.0

5.8
10.0
9.1

5.8
10.0
9.1

5.8
10.0
9.1

1984--January
February
March
April
May
June
Growth Rates
Monthly
1984--January
February
March
April

6.5

5.4

4.3

7.8

7.2

6.8

8.6

8.2

7.8

May
June

9.1
8.2

7.4
6.6

5.8
4.9

9.4
8.9

8.5
8.1

7.6
7.2

9.3
8.9

8.7
8.4

8.1
7.9

8.0

6.5

5.0

8.8

8.0

7.3

9.0

8.5

8.0

1983--QI
02
Q3
Q4

12.8
11.6
9.5
4.8

12.8
11.6
9.5
4.8

12.8
11.6
9.5
4.8

20.5
10.6
6.9
8.5

20.5
10.6
6.9
8.5

20.5
10.6
6.9
8.5

10.8
9.3
7.4
9.9

10.8
9.3
7.4
9.9

10.8
9.3
7.4
9.9

1984--Ql
Q2

7.3
7.3

7.3
6.4

7.3
5.5

6.9
7.8

6.9
7.3

6.9
6.9

8.6
9.1

8.6
8.8

8.6
8.5

'83 Q4 to June '84

7.6

6.9

6.3

7.7

7.4

7.1

9.0

8.8

8.6

1984 March to June
Growth Rates
Quarterly Average

Chart
1

CONFIDENTIAL (FR)
CLASS II-FOMC

Actual and Targeted M1

Bilions of dollars

-570

LEVELS

"ACTUAL

* SHORT RUN ALTERNATIVES

-560

-1550

I

I

I

O

N

1983

b

I

J

I

A

I

M

I

J

I

1964

J

I

A

I

540

-

520

I

I

II

I

I

F

-

S

I

0

I

N

0

-

Chart 2

CONFIDENTIAL (FR)
CLASS II FOMC

Actual and Targeted M2

Billions of dollars
I '~d'1f

9% -

ACTUAL LEVELS

-

2380

* SHORT RUN ALTERNATIVES

2360

2340

2320

6%
2300

2280

2260

2240

2220

2200

2180

,
"

,

I

N

1963

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

194

A

S

O

2160

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

0

N

D

Chart3

CONFIDENTIAL (FR)
CLASS II FOMC

Actual and Targeted M3

Billions of dollars

zw
2940
-ACTUAL

LEVELS

9%_

* SHORT RUN ALTERNATIVES

2920
2900
2880
2860
2840
2820
2800
2780
2760
2740
2720
2700
2680
2660

I

0

I

N

1983

I II

I
J

I
F

I

I
M

I
A

I
M

I

I

I
A

J

1984

I
S

I
O

,wun

I
N

D

3-1/2 percent annual rate, slower than in the first quarter and close
to what is typical in the second year of a recovery.

While M1 would

still be well in the upper part of its range by June, its expansion
would be expected to moderate further toward the middle of the range
over the second half of the year partly in lagged response to further
interest rate increases and also reflecting a slowdown in GNP growth.
(10)

The expansion of M2 is expected to accelerate from its

unusually slow pace of recent months under alternative B--and the other
alternatives as well--after the extraordinary 5-1/2 percent rise in
its velocity in the first quarter.

Even with the pickup in M2 growth

and slowing in the rate of increase in GNP, V2 would be expected to rise
at around a 2-1/2 percent annual rate in the second quarter, a little
less than its average increase over the past four quarters.

There had

been a marked drop in M2 velocity during the recession, and also in early
1983 when MMDAs were introduced; thus, the rise over recent quarters
may reflect some unwinding of balances that had been moved into M2 for
precautionary reasons or because of the initial attractiveness of MMDAs.
M3 under this alternative is not expected to slow much, if at all, from
its recent pace, with this aggregate remaining around the top of its
long-term range.

While CD issuance at banks and thrifts may moderate

somewhat as growth of core deposits picks up, the need for the managed
liabilities in M3 should remain sizable given projected strength in
demands on these institutions for credit by households and businesses
(including additional financing that may be associated with merger
activity).

-9-

(11)

Borrowing at the discount window of around $1 billion,

or perhaps a bit more, probably would be associated with the monetary
aggregate specifications of alternative B, and nonborrowed and total reserves could be expected to increase at annual rates of 3 and 6 percent,
respectively.

Given the current discount rate, the federal funds rate

would probably be in the neighborhood of 10-1/2 percent, although it
could be even higher in the next several days around the quarter-ending
statement date and also around the mid-April tax date.

While immediate

transitional adjustments to CRR seem to be behind us, it should be
noted in this context that there are still uncertainties about the
lasting impact of CRR and the lengthening of the reserve period on bank
reserve management policies.
(12)

The market has probably not entirely discounted the

degree of reserve restraint implied by alternative B, and interest rates
generally would be expected to increase somewhat further, with the Treasury bill rate possibly moving up about 1/4 percentage point to around
10 percent or a little higher, partly in anticipation of a rise in the
discount rate.

Longer-term market rates should also rise a little fur-

ther, particularly as the market absorbs the recently announced $15 billion package of Treasury coupon issues (to be auctioned in the week of
the FOMC meeting).

The prime rate would again come under pressure as

the spread over 3-month CDs narrowed to less than one percentage point
after allowance for reserve requirements.

With thrift institution

earnings deteriorating as rates rose, the spread of mortgage rates over
bond rates might begin to widen.

The dollar may continue to hold its

recent gains, and perhaps even rise somewhat further, for a time, as
investors react not only to the higher returns on dollar assets but

-10also to the signal of determination to combat inflation.

However,

over time the dollar is expected to resume declining in light of the
large and growing current account deficit.
(13)

The debt of nonfinancial sectors is projected to grow

over the second quarter at close to the advanced pace of the first
quarter, remaining somewhat above the FOMC's longer-run range.

Private

borrowing likely will continue robust, augmented to a degree by mergerrelated financing, but reflecting as well strength in underlying credit
demands as the economy continues to expand.

Businesses' financing gap

is projected to rise, as investment spending grows rapidly in the face
of moderating profit growth, but the amount of borrowing by this sector
may not increase if the accumulation of liquid assets slows as expected.
Growth in domestic nonfinancial debt for the year as a whole is currently projected to be at, or slightly above, its 8 to 11 percent long-run
range, assuming a slowdown in debt formation over the second half of
the year as economic expansion slows.
(14)

The specifications of alternative A contemplate more

rapid growth of the aggregates, with M1 coming closer to the upper limit
of its longer-run range by June and M2 moving above its midpoint.

M3

would probably tend to remain around the upper limit of its long-run
range.

The near-term growth rates of this alternative-8 and 8-3/4 per-

cent for M1 and M2 respectively over the March-to-June period--would
probably involve a little less pressure on reserve positions over the
intermeeting period than has been evident most recently.

-11(15)

Borrowing at the discount window under alternative A

would be around $550 to $650 million, and nonborrowed reserves would
increase at about a 10 percent annual rate.

The federal funds rate

would probably drop to around 9-3/4 percent.

Other interest rates

also would be expected to decline from current levels, at least to the
degree that some of the recent rate increases may have anticipated
firmer monetary conditions than contemplated under this alternative.
The extent of any such rally could be quite limited, however, in the
absence of substantive progress in reducing the budget deficit and
evidence of

a slowing in the pace of economic activity.

Moreover, a

tendency for growth in the monetary aggregates to be relatively strong,
as is anticipated in this alternative, particularly for M1 and M3, would
probably lead to market expectations that any moderation in the degree
of pressure on bank reserve positions was not sustainable.
(16)

The approach of alternative A would probably lead to

more rapid GNP growth over the spring and summer than in the staff's
current forecast.

In such a case, this alternative increases the odds

that a substantial rise of interest rates later this year and into 1985
may be needed to keep money growth rates within their long-run target
bands and/or to forestall greater upward pressures than currently
projected on the average price level.
(17)

Alternative C involves a more restrictive policy than

either A or B--slowing M1 growth, for example, over the March-to-June
period to about 5 percent at an annual rate, which would place it at
about the middle of its longer-run range by mid-year.

M2 growth would

remain relatively restrained and this aggregate would stay in the lower

-12-

part of its long-run range.

Discount window borrowing might rise to

around $1-1/2 billion over the intermeeting period, with nonborrowed
reserves falling at a 4 percent annual rate.
(18)

The federal funds rate would probably rise to over 11

percent under this alternative, and other market interest rates would
be expected to advance sharply further.

It is probable that growth in

economic activity would be more restrained as the year progresses than
in the current Greenbook forecast, and total domestic nonfinancial debt
would be more likely to grow within the Committee's long-run range for
There would be less risk of an increase

that aggregate over the year.

in inflationary pressures under this approach, though at the same time
there would be greater risk of provoking an undesired weakening in demand for goods and services.

Thrift institutions would come under

substantial earnings pressures.

Borrowers and creditors involved in

international lending would find their problems intensified as dollar
interest rates rose and the dollar remained under upward pressure in
exchange markets for a time.

Given the degree of restraint on the

economy and on credit growth that may develop, interest rates could begin to decline later in the year as needed to maintain monetary growth
around the mid-point of the long-run ranges and to sustain a reasonable
rate of economic growth.

-13-

Directive language
(19)

Proposed language for the operational paragraphs of the

directive, with alternatives, is shown below.

Two variants for the

first sentence are given. The first variant is based on the present
directive and presents alternative language with regard to instructions
concerning the degree of pressure on reserve positions--whether to "maintain", "increase somewhat", or simply "increase".

Alternative A would be

consistent with language to "maintain" the existing degree of reserve
restraint (interpreted as borrowing averaging over time on the order of
$650 million).

Alternatives B and C would be consistent with language

"to increase somewhat" or "to increase" reserve restraint, respectively.
Variant II differs from the first by focusing on the degree
of pressure on reserve positions that has recently emerged. Maintenance
of such pressure could be construed as consistent with the approach of
alternative B or an approach between A and B.
OPERATIONAL PARAGRAPHS
First Sentence:

Variant I

In the short run, the Committee seeks to maintain /INCREASE
bank]reserve positions,
SOMEWHAT/INCREASE the existing degree of pressure on [DEL:
anticipating that approach will be consistent with growth of M2 and M3

8]
____ percent and ____ PERCENT RESPECTIVELY
[DEL:
each] at annual rates of about [DEL:

7]____ percent during
AND WITH GROWTH OF M1 at an annual rate of about[DEL:
December to]March TO JUNE.
the period from[DEL:
First Sentence:

Variant II

existIn the short run, the Committee seeks to maintain the [DEL:
bank] reserve positions THAT HAS RECENTLY
ing] degree of pressure on [DEL:

-14-

EMERGED,

anticipating that approach will be consistent with growth of

M2 and M3 [DEL:
each] at annual rates of about [DEL:
8]
____
percent and ____ PERCENT
7] ____
RESPECTIVELY AND WITH GROWTH OF M1 at an annual rate of about [DEL:
December to] March TO JUNE.
percent during the period from[DEL:
Remaining language for either alternative

[DEL:
Growth in] Nonfinancial debt is expected to GROW AT A RATE [DEL:
be within]
AROUND THE UPPER LIMIT OF the MONITORING range established for the
year.

Lesser restraint would be acceptable in the context of a shortfall

in monetary and credit growth from current expectations, while somewhat
greater restraint might be acceptable with more rapid expansion of the
aggregates, both viewed in the context of the strength of the business
expansion and inflationary pressures.

[Possible alternative:

SOMEWHAT

GREATER OR LESSER RESTRAINT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE IN THE EVENT OF A
SIGNIFICANT DEVIATION IN GROWTH OF THE MONETARY AGGREGATES FROM CURRENT
EXPECTATIONS,

viewed in the context of the strength of the business

expansion and inflationary pressures.]

implementing policy in the weeks ahead, the Manager was
[DEL:
instructed to take account of the uncertainties associated with the
introduction of the system of more contemperaneous reserve
particularly including the possibility
during a transition period

requirements,

that depository institutions,

may desire to hold more excess reserves.]

The Chairman may call for Committee consultation if it

appears

to the Manager for Domestic Operations that pursuit of the monetary
objectives and related reserve paths during the period before the next
meeting is likely to be associated with a federal funds rate persistently
6 to 10] ____TO ____ percent.
outside a range of [DEL:

Selected Interest Rates

March 26, 1984

Percent

1982--High
Low

15.61
8.69

14.41
7.43

14.23
7.84

13.51
8.12

15.84
8.53

15.56
8.19

13.89
8.09

16.86
11.50

15.01
9.81

14.81
10.46

14.63
10.42

17.47
12.58

14.32
9.78

17.66
13.57

16.50
12.00

17.41
11.07

1983--High
Low

10.21
8.42

9.49
7.63

9.64
7.72

9.79
7.82

9.93
8.15

9.85
8.02

8.79
7.71

11.50
10.50

11.57
9.40

12.14
10.18

12.11
10.32

13.42
11.64

10.56
9.21

13.89
12.55

13.50
11.50

12.53
10.49

1983--Feb.
Mar.

8.51
8.77

8.11
8.35

8.23
8.37

8.28
8.36

8.54
8.69

8.30
8.56

7.79
7.77

10.98
10.50

9.91
9.84

10.72
10.51

10.88
10.63

12.90
12.47

10.13
9.78

13.04
12.80

12.00
12.00

11.16
10.71

Apr.
May
June

8.80
8.63
8.98

8.21
8.19
8.79

8.30
8.22
8.89

8.29
8.23
8.87

8.63
8.49
9.20

8.58
8.36
8.97

7.96
7.83
8.01

10.50
10.50
10.50

9.76
9.66
10.32

10.40
10.38
10.85

10.48
10.53
10.93

12.04
11.92
12.40

9.40
9.56
10.07

12.78
12.63
12.87

12.00
11.63
11.88

11.04
10.68
11.36

July
Aug.
Sept.

9.37
9.56
9.45

9.08
9.34
9.00

9.26
9.51
9.15

9.34
9.60
9.27

9.50
9.77
9.39

9.15
9.41
9.19

8.34
8.69
8.77

10.50
10.89
11.00

10.90
11.30
11.07

11.38
11.85
11.65

11.40
11.82
11.63

12.79
13.16
12.98

10.06
10.25
10.20

13.42
13.81
13.73

12.30
13.38
13.00

11.93
12.16
11.86

Oct.
Nov.
Dec.

9.48
9.34
9.47

8.64
8.76
9.00

8.83
8.93
9.17

8.98
9.08
9.24

9.18
9.36
9.69

9.03
9.10
9.56

8.67
8.55
8.69

11.00
11.00
11.00

10.87
10.96
11.13

11.54
11.69
11.83

11.58
11.75
11.88

12.89
13.14
13.29

10.14
10.22
10.40

13.54
13.44
13.42

13.00
12.50
12.50

11.40
11.40
11.56

1984--Jan.
Feb.

9.56
9.59

8.90
9.09

9.02
9.18

9.07
9.20

9.42
9.54

9.23
9.35

8.80
n.a.

11.00
11.00

10.93
11.05

11.67
11.84

11.75
11.95

12.99
13.05

10.03
10.00

13.37
13.23

12.50
12.50

11.45
11.38

1984--Jan.

4
11
18
25

10.06
9.53
9.54
9.53

8.98
8.91
8.84
8.93

9.15
9.08
8.94
9.00

9.22
9.14
9.01
9.06

9.64
9.47
9.36
9.40

9.55
9.26
9.17
9.23

8.94
8.81
8.78
8.75

11.00
11.00
11.00
11.00

11.09
11.00
10.87
10.89

11.81
11.74
11.62
11.63

11.87
11.82
11.69
11.70

13.16
12.95
12.88
12.85

10.13
10.07
9.98
9.95

13.43
13.40
13.35
13.29

12.50
12.50
12.50
12.50

11.60
11.40
11.40
11.40

Feb.

1
8
15
22
29

9.41
9.58
9.53
9.60
9.62

8.90
9.02
9.06
9.13
9.20

8.97
9.05
9.14
9.27
9.33

9.01
9.06
9.13
9.29
9.37

9.35
9.40
9.50
9.63
9.70

9.16
9.27
9.34
9.41
9.42

8.72

11.00

8.70
8.72
8.73
8.75

11.00
11.00
11.00
11.00

10.88
10.91
10.99
11.10
11.24

11.65
11.67
11.81
11.90
12.04

11.74
11.77
11.91
12.01
12.16

12.83
12.91
13.02
13.35
13.41

9.86
9.93
9.99
10.23
10.34

13.26
13.23
13.19
13.25
13.23

12.50
12.50
12.50
12.50
12.50

11.30
11.25
11.40
11.55
11.70

7
14
21
28

9.74
9.79
10.04

9.22
9.37
9.65

9.36
9.54
9.76

9.39

9.75
9.96
10.16

9.46
9.67
9.90

8.78
8.84
8.94

11.00
11.00
11.21

11.28
11.50
11.66

12.09
12.27
12.40

12.18
12.36
12.48

13.55
13.60

10.41
10.41
10.39

13.30
13.37
13.48

12.50
12.50
13.00

11.70

9.55
9.78

9.84
10.45
2
10. 8p

9.50
9.79
9.77

9.65
9.93
9.93

9.70
9.95
9.95

9.98
10.39
10.42

9.78
10.17
10.19

11.00

11.58

11.50
11.50

11.83
11.83p

12.34
12.49
2
8
1 .4 p

12.43
12.53
2
1 .50p

Mar.

Daily--Mar.16
22
23

--

13.81p

11.80
12.10

Columns 12 and 13
NOTE: Weekly data for columns 1 through 11 are staLtment weejt averages. Data in column 7 are taken from Donoghue's Money Fund Report.
Column 14 is
are 1-day quotes tot friday and Thursday, respectively, followinig the end of the statement week. Column 13 is the Bond Buyer revenue index.
an average of contract interest rates on new commltments for conventional first mortgages with 80 percent loan-to-value ratios at a sample of savings and
Column 16
loans.
only
to
VA-guaranteed
After November 30, 1983, column 15 refers
loan associations on the Friday lollowing the end of the statement week.
purchase program tor adjustable-rate home
is the initial gross yield posted by FNMA. on the Friday followinx the end of the uatement week, in its
mortgages having rate and payment adjustments once a year.
FR 1387 (1/82)

Security Dealer Positions

March

26. 1984

Millions of dollars

Casn -rosmlonsTreasury coupon

Period

rorwara ana rutures roanlons

S
Treasury
bills

over
1 year

federal
agency

private
slort-term

-1,734

-50
-70
-4

-2.766
-1.807
-2,357

-2.654
-2.099
-1.990

-6.677
-5.886
-6,325

11,753
10.914
9.787

-7,705
-7,288
-914

-9
0
-23

-2.479
-2,636
-722

-1.482
-1.666
-1.595

-5.860
-6,286
-8.423

6.976
8.093
9,284

10,275
10.360
13.137

-2,635

-1,302
-2.706
-2.613

-1.836
-3.623
-5,018

-8,673

-7,302

-6
-3
-2

3.391
324
-864

10.252
9.450
11.605

14,250
15,289
15,488

-9.132
-7.984
-5.539

-12
-2
-2

-1,662
-1.039
670

-5,911
-5.399
-7,317

-6,798
-6,294

1,080
956

657
-1.550

11.403
12,585

12.737
13,308

-10,766
-8,911

-15
-38

-137
-1

-7,456
-8,064

-5.792
-8.614

11.850
11,366
11.904
11,084

14,229
12,668
13.327
11,808

-6.591
-9,916
-10,855
-12,660

-9
-1
-2
-3

446
308
-390
-378

-7.405
-7.386
-7,914
-7.476

-5,650

-74
-109
-34
-12
22*

-121
-1.027
-26
602
566*

-7.213
-7.966
-8,376
-8.096
-7,993*

-6.210
-8.521
-9,525
-8.583
-8.341*

-8*
-10*

376*
838*

-8.405*
-9.068*

-2*

1.477*

-9.518*
-7.260*
-4.937*

under

over

bills

1 year

1 year

federal
agency

24,816
29.952
24.694

19.808
16,742
16,590

1,050
818
1,231

5.332
9.734
2.144

5.389
4,674
5.052

13.166
11.477
12,087

-7.782
-3,631

Apr.
Hay
June

16,438
9.919
12,139

13.od5
7.795
6.759

992
1.146
1,087

1,901
2,118
435

5,442
5,822
5.748

July
Aug.
Sept.

7,964
13,676
16.998

4,076
5.927
8,027

952
750
226

137
2.638
6,343

Oct.
Nov.
Dec.

14,682
15.999
18,261

9.696
10,719
8,655

608
935
1,163

1984--Jan.
Feb.

12,508
9,137

10,797
9.465

1983--Jan.
Feb.
Mar.

private

short-term

-1.861

1984--Jan.

4
11
18
25

16,711
11,415
14,576
9.539

6,549
8.064
11,303
12,781

842
935
1.239
1,091

2,449
1,166
1,278
-599

Feb.

1
8
15
22
29

13,615
7,731
5,231
6.434
14,813*

13,669
12,557
9,371
6,761
7.251*

1.250
1.311
915
664
776*

-178
-1,528
-723
-2,987
-1,114*

11.361
12,488
13,286
12.394
12,489*

12,877
13,816
12.930
13.022
13,256*

-11,748
-13,289
-12.587
-7,331
-2,098*

Mar.

7
14
21
28

14.946*
15,235*

6.543*
4,732*
4,967*

845*
874*

-1.154*
-2,969*
-4,531*

14,716*
15,592*

13.934*
12,578*

17.584*

12,134*

-2,382*
-72*
159*

17.685*

TreasMury coupons

under
1 year

Treasury

934*

NOTE: Government securities dealer cash positions consist of securities already delivered, commJlments to buy (sell) securities on an outright basis for immediate delivery (5 business days or less),
and certain "when-issued" securities for delayed delivery (more than 5 business days). Futures and lorward positions include all other commitments involving delayed delivery; futures contracts are arranged on organized exchanges.

1. Cash plus forward plus futures positions In Treasury. federal agency, and private short-term
securities.
2. Adjusted for reverses to maLurity and related transactions.
*Strlctly contidential.

-10.100*

-5.899

-5,084

-5,598

-5.789
-5.314
-6.109

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL (FR)
CLASS II-FOMC

Net Changes in System Holdings of Securities1

March 26, 1984

Millions of dollars, not seasonally adjusted

Treasury
bills net
2
change

Period

1979
1980
1981
1982
1983

over 10

total

485

900

1983--Qtr.

I
II

-1,403
5,116
4,617
4.738

w

1-5

510

Net change
outright

4

over 10

total

454
668
494

309
735
3,695

1984--Jan.
Feb.

-3,267
-1.060

155

820

349

151

10,290
2.035
8,491
8,312

-1,425
6,208
5.439

1,474

-300
----

Net RPs

total

5.179

1,203
975
1,474

595
481
820

holdings

16,342

2,471

Oct.
Nov.
Dec.

1983~-Dec.

5-10

5,035
4.564
2,768
2,803
3.653

4,292

1983--Sept.

1-5

Federal agencies net purchases

3,456
2,138
1,702
1,794
1,896

IV

IV

within

3

6.243
-3.052
5,337
5,698
13,068

1982--Qtr.

Ill

Treasury coupons net purchases

-2,597
2,462
684
1.461
-5,445
-20

6.120

-3.325
-793
9,412
-10.739

2,466

7,737

302
2,125
3,693

-11.307
1,133

-3.607
-1.098
648
651
2,319
75

-565
500
-8,347

7
14
21
28

648
653
2,319
75

1984--Jan.

4
11
18
25

-197
-400
-500
-1,798

-197
-410
-500
-1,828

5,911
-4,144
298
429

Feb.

1
8
15
22
29

-756
-1,044
23
344

-1.076
-1,044
-18
23
344

-441
-876
-1,182
1,309
-8,400

7
14
21

292
566
349

292
556
349

8,141
1,779
-1,006

Mar.

LEVEL--Mar. 22

68.3

17.1

34.5

14.2

18.6

1 Change from end of-period to end of-period.
2 Outright transactions in market and with foreign accounts, and redemptions (-) in bill auctions,
3 Outright transactions in market and with foreign accounts, and short-term notes acquired in exchange for maturing bills. Exclude redemptions, maturity shifts, rollovers of maturing coupon
issues, nd dirensc Treasury borrowing from the System.

4 Outright transactions in market and with foreign accounts only. Excludes redemptions and maturity
shifts

84.4

2.5

4.2

1.4

.4

8.6

161.3
16.

-541
-142

4
116

-. 7

5 In addition to the net purchases of securities, also reflects changes in System holdings of bankers'
acceptances, direct Treasury borrowing from the System and redemptions (-) of agency and Trea
suy coupon issues.
6 Includes changes in RPt (+), matched sale-purchase transactions (-), and matched purchase-sale
transactions 1+).