Bob Ramalho

Berkshire Hathaway - Verani Realty

  • Home
  • About
  • Video Library
  • Info
    • First Time Home Buyer Tips
    • First Time Home Seller Tips
  • Property Search
  • Reviews
  • Blog
  • Contact

Bob Ramalho March 17, 2016

Fed Policymakers Make Interesting Decision on Interest Rates

Fed Policymakers Make Interesting Decision on Interest RatesAccording to a press release by the Federal Reserve, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the current target federal funds rate will hold steady at  0.25 to 0.50 percent. Committee members cited positive developments in the U.S economy including jobs growth, stronger labor markets and gradually increasing inflation. In addition, stronger housing sector and household spending were also noted as positive signs for the economy. Committee members cited risks associated with global economic and financial developments as a concern.

FOMC members are guided in decision making by the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability. Inflation remains below the committee’s longer-term goal of 2.00 percent; FOMC members attributed slow inflation growth to lower energy prices. The Fed described its current monetary policy stance as “accommodative” and expects it to remain so until inflation reaches 2.00 percent.

Analysts said that the Fed has scaled back its forecast for rate increases from four increases to two increases in 2016, but any actions will depend on FOMC review of current and expected domestic and global factors. Fed Chair Janet Yellen previously cited turbulent market conditions as “significantly” tightening financial conditions due to lower stock prices.

Fed Chair Janet Yellen‘s Press Conference

Fed Chair Janet Yellen explained policy makers’ decision not to raise the target federal funds rate in a press conference after the FOMC statement. Chair Yellen responded to media representatives’ questions about FOMC’s views on inflation and unemployment, zero or negative interest rates and uncertainty about China’s economy

Ms. Yellen cautioned against over-emphasis of the relationship between unemployment and inflation as employment rates only modestly impacts tracking inflation indicators as they relate to wages and prices. In her remarks about the decision not to raise the target federal funds rate, Chair Yellen cited uncertainty about China’s economy as a factor in the decision not to raise the benchmark federal funds rate.

The U.S. economy is strengthening as Europe and Japanese economies wane. Chair Yellen indicated that although global economic decisions influence U.S. monetary policy, that U.S. decisions are not based solely on global economic and financial developments.

In response to a question about whether the FOMC has considered the effects of zero to negative interest rates used by Japan and other nations, Chair Yellen said that committee members were not actively considering or discussing negative interest rates in view of improving economic conditions. Ms. Yellen said that Japan incorporated negative interest rates but did not realize the desired effect of increasing inflation.

Media analysts said that a rate increase in April’s FOMC meeting seems unlikely, but with world-wide economic conditions changing quickly, such, forecasts can’t be cast in cement.

Filed Under: Financial Reports Tagged With: Financial Reports, FOMC, Interest Rates

Bob

Bob Ramalho


REALTOR ®
Cell: 603-440-3697
Office: 800-392-2377
Email: bob.ramalho@verani.com
NH License #067453
MA License #9550545

Logo
Verani Realty: (800) 392-2377

View My Recommendations

Sign Up For My FREE Newsletter!

Connect with Me!

How can I help?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Recent Articles

  • NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Ticks Up in April
  • How To Get A Mortgage If You Are A Gig Worker
  • Do Not Procrastinate On These Spring Maintenance Tasks
  • 7 Inexpensive Upgrades You Can Make To Your Rental Property
  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 12, 2021
  • Staging Tips: Let’s Talk Landscaping and How to Prepare Your Yard for the Spring Bloom
©2020 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.®

Looking For Something?

Our Location

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty
One Verani Way
Londonderry, NH 03053

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2021 Bob Ramalho. All rights reserved.   Log In