Powell Says , Fed Remains Reluctant to Start , Lowering Interest Rates.
On March 6, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell
said that interest rates will start to drop at
some point this year, without specifying when.
CNBC reports that Powell said policymakers
are closely monitoring the risks of inflation and
are reluctant to begin easing rates too quickly.
In considering any adjustments
to the target range for the policy
rate, we will carefully assess
the incoming data, the evolving
outlook, and the balance of risks. , Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.
The Committee does not
expect that it will be appropriate
to reduce the target range until
it has gained greater confidence
that inflation is moving
sustainably toward 2 percent, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.
According to Powell, the Fed needs
"a little bit more data" before
making a decision on rates.
We think because of the strength
in the economy and the strength
in the labor market and
the progress we’ve made,
we can approach that step
carefully and thoughtfully
and with greater confidence, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.
When we reach that confidence,
the expectation is we will
do so sometime this year.
We can then begin dialing back
that restriction on our policy, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.
Markets are eagerly anticipating the Fed ending its
aggressive rate-hiking campaign, after 11 interest
rate increases between March 2022 and July 2023.
Longer-term inflation expectations
appear to have remained well
anchored, as reflected by
a broad range of surveys of
households, businesses, and
forecasters, as well as measures
from financial markets, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.
Longer-term inflation expectations
appear to have remained well
anchored, as reflected by
a broad range of surveys of
households, businesses, and
forecasters, as well as measures
from financial markets, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.
CNBC reports that Powell is scheduled for a two-day visit
to Capitol Hill this week, beginning with a March 6
meeting with the House Financial Services Committee.