Yesterday, the US Federal Reserve issued its FOMC statement regarding interest rates and the committee voted to keep benchmark rates exactly the same. The announcement was anticipated by markets, the bigger question is when the next rate cut will take pace.
The Federal Reserve noted that recent indicators suggest that “economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace.”
They also mentioned that the unemployment rate has stabilized at “a low level in recent months, and labor market conditions remain solid.”
The Federal Reserve also noted that inflation remains “somewhat elevated.”
The Committee seeks to achieve “maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run.”
Uncertainty around the economic outlook has increased, according to the update from the Federal Reserve.
The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its “dual mandate.”
In support of its goals, the Committee decided to “maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 4-1/4 to 4-1/2 percent.”
In considering the extent and timing of additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will “carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks.”
The Committee will continue “reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage‑backed securities.”
Beginning in April, the Committee will “slow the pace of decline of its securities holdings by reducing the monthly redemption cap on Treasury securities from $25 billion to $5 billion.”
The Committee will maintain the monthly redemption cap “on agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities at $35 billion.”
The Committee is strongly committed to “supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2 percent objective.”
In assessing the appropriate stance of monetary policy, the Committee will continue to “monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook.”
The Committee would be prepared to “adjust the stance of monetary policy as appropriate if risks emerge that could impede the attainment of the Committee’s goals.”
The Committee’s assessments will take into account “a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments.”
Voting for the monetary policy action “were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Michael S. Barr; Michelle W. Bowman; Susan M. Collins; Lisa D. Cook; Austan D. Goolsbee; Philip N. Jefferson; Adriana D. Kugler; Alberto G. Musalem; and Jeffrey R. Schmid.”
Voting against this action was Christopher J. Waller, who “supported no change for the federal funds target range but preferred to continue the current pace of decline in securities holdings.”