eople disagree about the stance of monetary policy is proof ir itself that no single indicator is watched. But should one be? Nominal GNP is a poor indicator of monetary policy foi several reasons. For one thing, a good indicator should measure the present stance of current monetary policy not the eventua effect on the ultimate objective. For another, the GNP is only partly determined by monetary policy. Other factors also play a role. These other factors may be causing the GNP to fall ever though monetary policy is easing. Indeed, we would expect the Fed to follow an easy money policy if the GNP became t depressed. In short, the GNP may be an excellent indicator o general economic activity, but it would be a perverse indicato of countercyclical monetary policy The size of the Fed's government securities portfolio is alsc a poor indicator. Although it is immediately and rigidly tied to the instrument of open market operations, it fails as an indicatoi simply because open market operations are constantly being defensively (although not exclusively so). By definition the defensive open market operations involve no change in immediate reserve target of monetary policy, but they dc change the size of the Fed's government securities portfolio Consequently, the size of the portfolio is monetary policy In This leaves interest rates and monetary aggregate practice, both are watched. Monetarists tend to watch mo aggregates; Keynesians tend to look at interest rates. Since monetarists and Keynesians often disagree about the actual stance of existing policy, it is apparent that monetary aggregates and interest rates often send out contrary signals. The question which signal is correct? is: If an indicator is really going to indicate the stance of monetary policy, and not indicate other things, then it must be the effect of monetary policy rather than the effect of other things. this score, monetary aggregates (money supply reserves, etc.) and interest rates are both less than perfect