The minutes of the Federal Reserve meeting suggest that another rate hike in 2023 is possible, although the Fed does not mention lowering rates and intends to balance the risk of overtightening policy against the cost of insufficient tightening; the market is less inclined to believe that rate hikes will occur as predicted by the Fed, with a higher chance of rates staying steady in September and a lower chance of a hike in November.
Experts are divided on whether the US Federal Reserve should raise its interest rate target to 3% to combat inflation and cushion against recessions, with some arguing that raising inflation targets would be futile.
Two Federal Reserve officials suggest that interest-rate increases may be coming to an end, but one of them believes that further hikes may still be necessary depending on inflation trends.
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Patrick Harker does not believe that the U.S. central bank will need to increase interest rates again and suggests holding steady to see how the economy responds, stating that the current restrictive stance should bring inflation down.
Two officials at the Federal Reserve have expressed differing views on whether or not the central bank should raise its benchmark interest rate again to combat inflation, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding future rate hikes, with more clarity expected from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming speech at a Fed conference in Jackson Hole.
As Jerome Powell, the chair of the U.S Federal Reserve, prepares to speak at the Jackson Hole symposium, the big question is whether he will signal a major shift in how central banks deal with inflation, particularly regarding interest rates and inflation targets. Some economists are suggesting moving the inflation target range from 2-3 percent, while others argue for higher targets to give central banks more flexibility in combating recession. The debate highlights the challenges of setting and changing formal inflation targets and the ongoing changes in the factors that drive growth and inflation.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that the fight against inflation still has a long way to go, emphasizing the need for extended periods of elevated interest rates to restore price stability. Powell stated that although inflation has cooled, the improvement may be temporary, and the Fed is committed to lowering inflation to their 2% target.
The president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia believes that the US central bank has already raised interest rates enough to bring inflation down to pre-pandemic levels of around 2%.
President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, stated that interest rates in the European Union will need to remain high to combat inflation, despite progress being made, emphasizing the challenges posed by disruptions in the global and European economies.
Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank President Loretta Mester believes that beating inflation will require one more interest-rate hike and then a temporary pause, stating that rate cuts may not begin in late 2024 as previously thought.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell signaled at a conference of central bankers that more rate hikes could be on the way as the economy continues to run hot, despite a series of policy tightening measures, in an effort to combat persistent inflation.
The Bank of England may have to increase interest rates if the US Federal Reserve decides to raise rates to cut inflation, in order to prevent the pound from weakening and inflation from rising further.
Top central bankers, including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, emphasized the importance of keeping interest rates high until inflation is under control while also grappling with economic challenges and uncertainties at the annual Federal Reserve gathering in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
The Federal Reserve meeting in September may hold the key to the end of the tightening cycle, as markets anticipate a rate hike in November, aligning with the Fed's thinking on its peak rate. However, disagreement among Fed policymakers regarding the strength of the economy and inflation raises questions about the clarity and certainty of the Fed's guidance. Market skeptics remain uncertain about the possibility of a "soft landing," with sustained economic expansion following a period of tightening.
The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge increased slightly in July, suggesting that the fight against inflation may be challenging, but the absence of worse news indicates that officials are likely to maintain interest rates.
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller acknowledges that recent strong economic data will allow the central bank to proceed cautiously with potential interest rate hikes as it assesses whether inflation is under control.
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem suggests that interest rates may not be high enough to bring inflation back down to target, emphasizing the need for further restrictive monetary policy to restore price stability.
Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Lorie Logan believes that while it may be appropriate to skip an interest-rate increase at the upcoming meeting, further policy tightening will likely be necessary to bring inflation down to 2% in a timely manner.
The European Central Bank is facing a dilemma on whether to raise its key interest rate to combat inflation or hold off due to economic deterioration, with investors split on the likelihood of a rate hike.
Economist Campbell Harvey warns that the Federal Reserve should not raise rates later this year, as he believes a recession may occur in 2024 due to an inverted yield curve and potential distortions in Bureau of Labor Statistics and GDP figures.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is expected to maintain a cautious approach and emphasize the Fed's resolve to target inflation and keep interest rates high for an extended period at next week's policy meeting, according to economists. The general consensus among economists is that the Fed will keep rates steady and suggest a possible rate hike later this year while closely monitoring inflation and the labor market.
The Federal Reserve is expected to signal that another rate hike may be necessary due to strong economic growth and inflation metrics, creating a difference of opinion between the equity and bond markets.
The Federal Reserve faces the challenge of bringing down inflation to its target of 2 percent, with differing opinions on whether they will continue to raise interest rates or pause due to weakening economic indicators such as drops in mortgage rates and auto sales.
The Federal Reserve is expected to keep its benchmark lending rate steady as it waits for more data on the US economy, and new economic projections suggest stronger growth and lower unemployment; however, inflation remains a concern, leaving the possibility open for another rate increase in the future.
The Federal Reserve is leaving its key interest rate unchanged as it moderates its fight against inflation, but plans to raise rates once more this year, as policymakers remain concerned about inflation not falling fast enough.
The U.S. Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady but left room for potential rate hikes, as they see progress in fighting inflation and aim to bring it down to the target level of 2 percent; however, officials projected a higher growth rate of 2.1 percent for this year and suggested that core inflation will hit 3.7 percent this year before falling in 2024 and reaching the target range by 2026.
Central banks, including the US Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and Bank of England, have pledged to maintain higher interest rates for an extended period to combat inflation and achieve global economic stability, despite concerns about the strength of the Chinese economy and geopolitical tensions.
Central banks around the world may have reached the peak of interest rate hikes in their effort to control inflation, as data suggests that major economies have turned a corner on price rises and core inflation is declining in the US, UK, and EU. However, central banks remain cautious and warn that rates may need to remain high for a longer duration, and that oil price rallies could lead to another spike in inflation. Overall, economists believe that the global monetary policy tightening cycle is nearing its end, with many central banks expected to cut interest rates in the coming year.
The Federal Reserve's measure of inflation is disconnected from market conditions, increasing the likelihood of a recession, according to Duke University finance professor Campbell Harvey. If the central bank continues to raise interest rates based on this flawed inflation gauge, the severity of the economic downturn could worsen.
Federal Reserve policymakers Governor Michelle Bowman and Boston Fed President Susan Collins expressed the need to keep interest rates elevated to combat inflation, with Bowman suggesting further rate hikes will likely be needed to bring inflation down to the Fed's 2% target and Collins stating that further tightening is not off the table as progress in battling inflation has been slow.
