Fed left federal funds rate unchanged at 2.25-2.50% as widely expected. The most important change in the statement is that Fed dropped the language that “some further gradual increases in the target range for the federal funds rate will be consistent…”
Instead, Fed now said “the Committee will be patient as it determines what future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate may be appropriate”.
That’s a rather drastic change and dollar drops broadly after the release.
Full statement below.
Federal Reserve Issues FOMC Statement
Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in December indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been rising at a solid rate. Job gains have been strong, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Household spending has continued to grow strongly, while growth of business fixed investment has moderated from its rapid pace earlier last year. On a 12-month basis, both overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy remain near 2 percent. Although market-based measures of inflation compensation have moved lower in recent months, survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed.
Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. In support of these goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 percent. The Committee continues to view sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the Committee’s symmetric 2 percent objective as the most likely outcomes. In light of global economic and financial developments and muted inflation pressures, the Committee will be patient as it determines what future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate may be appropriate to support these outcomes.
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.
Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Jerome H. Powell, Chairman; John C. Williams, Vice Chairman; Michelle W. Bowman; Lael Brainard; James Bullard; Richard H. Clarida; Charles L. Evans; Esther L. George; Randal K. Quarles; and Eric S. Rosengren.
US initial jobless claims jumped to 253k, highest since Sep 2017
US initial jobless claims jumped 53k to 253k in the week ending January 26, well above expectation of 210k. That’s also the highest level since September 30, 2017. Four-week moving average of initial claims rose 5k to 220.25k.
Continuing claims rose 69k to 1.782M in the week ending January 19. It’s also the highest level since April 28, 2018. Four-week moving average of continuing claims rose 8k to 1.738M, highest since August 4, 2018.
Full release here.
Also from US, employment cost index rose 0.7% in Q4, below expectation of 0.8%.