Fed Drops ‘Patient’ in Describing Timing for First Rate Hike
The Federal Reserve is signaling that it’s edging closer to raising interest rates from record lows in light of a strengthening job market. The Fed no longer says it will be “patient” in starting to raise its benchmark rate.
The central bank did say a rate increase at its next meeting in April was unlikely. Most analysts believe that dropping the word “patient” makes a rate increase in June likely. The Fed says it will raise rates when it is “reasonably confident” that inflation is moving toward its 2 percent goal.
The Fed has kept its key short-term rate near zero since late 2008, in an attempt to bolster the economy after a devastating financial crisis and recession. A Fed rate hike would push up consumer and business rates.
This article appeared in print in edition of Hamodia.
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