Powell Does Not Think US Fed Would Cut Interest Rates in Mar, Given Uncertainty Ahead
US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that the policy rate is probably at the high end of the current cycle, and that if the economy develops as expected, it would be appropriate for the Fed to cut rates at some point this year.
There was no suggestion of a rate cut at the current monetary policy meeting. He also did not think it was likely that the Fed would cut rates in March, and that the ultimate action would depend on how the economy developed.
Powell added that the US economy was making good progress, with inflation coming down from its highs and no sign of rising unemployment. However, he felt that inflation was still too high to guarantee sustained progress in lowering it.
With uncertainty ahead, the Fed would be prepared to leave policy rates unchanged for a longer period of time if conditions were favourable, Powell remarked.
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Source: AAStocks Financial News
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