Today’s Fed Statement

For the fifth meeting in a row, the Federal Reserve does nothing:

The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to keep its target for the federal funds rate at 5-1/4 percent.
Recent indicators have suggested somewhat firmer economic growth, and some tentative signs of stabilization have appeared in the housing market. Overall, the economy seems likely to expand at a moderate pace over coming quarters.
Readings on core inflation have improved modestly in recent months, and inflation pressures seem likely to moderate over time. However, the high level of resource utilization has the potential to sustain inflation pressures.
The Committee judges that some inflation risks remain. The extent and timing of any additional firming that may be needed to address these risks will depend on the evolution of the outlook for both inflation and economic growth, as implied by incoming information.
Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Susan S. Bies; Thomas M. Hoenig; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Cathy E. Minehan; Frederic S. Mishkin; Michael H. Moskow; William Poole; and Kevin M. Warsh.

This is a very positive statement.
The “somewhat firmer economic growth” line replaces “has slowed over the course of the year” from December. That’s a big change. Also, the “substantial cooling” of the housing market is gone and has been replaced with “some tentative signs of stabilization.” In the world of Fedspeak, that’s a jump for joy.
Core inflation has now “improved modestly,” where last month it was “elevated.” With Jeffrey Lacker off the committee, the vote was unanimous.

Posted by on January 31st, 2007 at 2:32 pm


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