Global| Apr 29 2009FOMC Leaves Rates Unchanged
by:Tom Moeller
|in:Economy in Brief
Summary
In an anticipated move the Federal Open Market Committee today left the Federal funds rate in a "range from 0 to 1/4 percent." The discount also was left unchanged at 0.50%. The Fed funds rate remained the lowest ever. The decision [...]
In an anticipated move the Federal Open Market Committee today left the Federal funds rate in a "range from 0 to 1/4 percent." The discount also was left unchanged at 0.50%. The Fed funds rate remained the lowest ever. The decision was unanimous amongst FOMC voters.
The Fed indicated that "Household spending has shown signs of stabilizing but remains constrained by ongoing job losses, lower housing wealth and tight credit." Moreover, the Fed pointed out that while "the economic outlook has improved modestly since the March meeting, partly reflecting some easing of financial market conditions, economic activity is likely to remain weak for a time. Nonetheless, the Committee continues to anticipate that policy actions to stabilize financial markets and institutions, fiscal and monetary stimulus, and market forces will contribute to a gradual resumption of sustainable economic growth in a context of price stability."
Regarding inflation the same statement was offered as at the last meeting. "... that inflation will remain subdued. Moreover, the Committee sees some risk that inflation could persist for a time below rates that best foster economic growth and price stability in the longer term.
In its effort to promote economic liquidity, the Fed used the same language as in March. "As previously announced, to provide support to mortgage lending and housing markets and to improve overall conditions in private credit markets, the Federal Reserve will purchase a total of up to $1.25 trillion of agency mortgage-backed securities and up to $200 billion of agency debt by the end of the year. In addition, the Federal Reserve will buy up to $300 billion of Treasury securities by autumn."
For the complete text of the Fed's latest press release please follow this link.
The Haver databases USECON, WEEKLY and DAILY contain the figures from the Federal Reserve Board.
| Current | Last | December | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Funds Rate, % (Target) | 0.00 - 0.25 | 0.00 - 0.25 | 0.16 | 1.93 | 5.02 | 4.96 |
| Discount Rate, % | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 2.39 | 5.86 | 5.96 |
Tom Moeller
AuthorMore in Author Profile »Prior to joining Haver Analytics in 2000, Mr. Moeller worked as the Economist at Chancellor Capital Management from 1985 to 1999. There, he developed comprehensive economic forecasts and interpreted economic data for equity and fixed income portfolio managers. Also at Chancellor, Mr. Moeller worked as an equity analyst and was responsible for researching and rating companies in the economically sensitive automobile and housing industries for investment in Chancellor’s equity portfolio. Prior to joining Chancellor, Mr. Moeller was an Economist at Citibank from 1979 to 1984. He also analyzed pricing behavior in the metals industry for the Council on Wage and Price Stability in Washington, D.C. In 1999, Mr. Moeller received the award for most accurate forecast from the Forecasters' Club of New York. From 1990 to 1992 he was President of the New York Association for Business Economists. Mr. Moeller earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University, where he graduated in 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from George Washington University.
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