Powell emphasised that while the current rate of 4.3% is considered тАЬmeaningfully restrictive,тАЭ it is a well-balanced level that allows for progress on inflation while supporting a robust labour market
U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference where he announced the Fed had cut interest rates by a quarter point following a two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee on interest rate policy in Washington, U.S., December 18, 2024. | Photo Credit: Reuters
U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that an interest rate hike does not appear to be a likely outcome as the Fed works to bring inflation down to its 2% target.
“You don’t rule things completely in or out in this world. That doesn’t appear to be a likely outcome,” Powell told a news conference when asked if he could rule out a rate increase as the Fed slows the pace of future cuts.
“I think we’re 4.3%, but that’s meaningfully restrictive, and I think it’s a well calibrated range for us to continue to make progress on inflation while keeping up a strong labor market,” he added.
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