economic data. Flow of Funds Exercise Anticipating Fed Actions Recall that Carson Company has obtained substantial loans from finance companies and commercial banks. The interest rate on the loans is tied to market interest rates and is adjusted every six months. Because of its expectations of a strong U.S. economy, Carson plans to grow in the future by expanding the business and by making acquisitions. It expects that it will need sub- stantial long-term financing and plans to borrow additional funds either through loans or by issuing bonds. The company may also issue stock to raise funds in the next year. An economic report recently highlighted the strong growth in the economy, which has led to nearly full employment. In addition, the report estimated that the annualized inflation rate increased to 5 percent, up from 2 percent last month. The factors that caused the higher inflation (shortages of products and shortages of labor) are expected to continue. a. How will the Fed's monetary policy change based on the report? b. How will the likely change in the Fed's monetary policy affect Carson's future performance? Could it affect Carson's plans for future expansion? c. Explain how a tight monetary policy could affect the amount of funds borrowed at financial institutions by deficit units such as Carson Company. How might it affect the credit risk of these deficit units? How might it affect the performance of financial institutions that pro- vide credit to such deficit units as Carson Company