Posted by powerchord on 30th of Apr 2008 at 02:21 pm
The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower its
target for the federal funds rate 25 basis points to 2 percent.
Recent information indicates that economic activity remains
weak.Household and business spending has been subdued and
labor markets have softened further. Financial markets remain under
considerable stress, and tight credit conditions and the deepening
housing contraction are likely to weigh on economic growth over the
next few quarters. Although readings on core inflation have
improved somewhat, energy and other commodity prices have
increased, and some indicators of inflation expectations have risen
in recent months.
The Committee expects inflation to moderate in coming
quarters,reflecting a projected leveling-out of energy and
other commodity prices and an easing of pressures on resource
utilization. Still, uncertainty about the inflation outlook remains
high. It will be necessary to continue to monitor inflation
developments carefully.
The substantial easing of monetary policy to date, combined
with ongoing measures to foster market liquidity, should help to
promote moderate growth over time and to mitigate risks to economic
activity.The Committee will continue to monitor economic
and financial developments and will act as needed to promote
sustainable economic growth and price stability. Voting for the
FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman;
Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S.
Kroszner; Frederic S. Mishkin; Sandra Pianalto; Gary H. Stern; and
Kevin M. Warsh. Voting against were Richard W. Fisher and Charles
I. Plosser, who preferred no change in the target for the federal
funds rate at this meeting. In a related action, the Board of
Governors
unanimously approved a 25-basis-point decrease in the
discount rate to 2-1/4 percent.
14:19
Fed funds futures show 72% odds of no rate increase in
June
14:19
Dollar's reaction to FOMC decision is relatively muted,
ticks modestly lower against the Euro
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Posted by powerchord on 30th of Apr 2008 at 02:21 pm
The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower its target for the federal funds rate 25 basis points to 2 percent. Recent information indicates that economic activity remains weak.Household and business spending has been subdued and labor markets have softened further. Financial markets remain under considerable stress, and tight credit conditions and the deepening housing contraction are likely to weigh on economic growth over the next few quarters. Although readings on core inflation have improved somewhat, energy and other commodity prices have increased, and some indicators of inflation expectations have risen in recent months. The Committee expects inflation to moderate in coming quarters,reflecting a projected leveling-out of energy and other commodity prices and an easing of pressures on resource utilization. Still, uncertainty about the inflation outlook remains high. It will be necessary to continue to monitor inflation developments carefully. The substantial easing of monetary policy to date, combined with ongoing measures to foster market liquidity, should help to promote moderate growth over time and to mitigate risks to economic activity.The Committee will continue to monitor economic and financial developments and will act as needed to promote sustainable economic growth and price stability. Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Frederic S. Mishkin; Sandra Pianalto; Gary H. Stern; and Kevin M. Warsh. Voting against were Richard W. Fisher and Charles I. Plosser, who preferred no change in the target for the federal funds rate at this meeting. In a related action, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a 25-basis-point decrease in the discount rate to 2-1/4 percent.