Draghi helps Lagarde gain her footing, Fed Talk podcast

By Mark Sobel in Washington

Mario Draghi, the departing European Central Bank president, has done his successor Christine Lagarde a good turn. His contested September easing measures give Lagarde time to forge her own path through a strategic review of monetary policy, without the need for immediate action. Lagarde knows Europe and its leaders well. She is a skilful diplomat, communicator, consensus builder and manager. She has a firm grasp of economic issues. These strengths will prove essential in addressing Europe’s challenges.

Read the full commentary on the website.

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Podcast: Fed Talk – A divided committee and mixed economic outlook

The Federal Reserve cut the fed funds rate by 25 basis points following intense discussion between divided Federal Open Market Committee members. Mark Sobel, US chairman of OMFIF, is joined by Don Kohn, member of the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee and member of the Fed board of governors between 2002-10, and Bill Papadakis, macro strategist at Banque Lombard Odier & Sie, to discuss the Fed decision and the outlook for the US economy and monetary policy.

Listen to the recording, or search for OMFIF on your smartphone’s podcast app.