The Fed released the Minutes of the September 26, 2018 FOMC Meeting today.
Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in August indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been rising at a strong rate. Job gains have been strong, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has stayed low. Household spending and business fixed investment have grown strongly. On a 12-month basis, both overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy remain near 2 percent. Indicators of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed, on balance.
Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The Committee expects that further gradual increases in the target range for the federal funds rate will be consistent with sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the Committee’s symmetric 2 percent objective over the medium term. Risks to the economic outlook appear roughly balanced.
In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 2 to 2-1/4 percent.
In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its maximum employment objective and its symmetric 2 percent inflation objective. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments.
Non-Event?
The vote was unanimous. The statement was expected. and there was do discernible stock or bond market reaction.
This was seemingly a non-event.
However, it is now clear that everyone is looking the same direction. With housing and the global economy weakening, I expect something else.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
As I have stated all along, they will continue to gradually tighten until the debt-driven, debt-saturated US economy goes into sudden, cardiac arrest. Housing is already feeling severe chest pains.
I’m afraid you are probably right. I suspect Realist is being optimistic, particularly from what I’m seeing in the housing market.
This is sounding eerily familiar…
“We’ve never had a decline in house prices on a nationwide basis. So, what I think what is more likely is that house prices will slow, maybe stabilize, might slow consumption spending a bit. I don’t think it’s gonna drive the economy too far from its full employment path, though.” Ben Bernanke – Fed Chairman -July 2005.