Fed’s Beige Book Survey Sees Little Slowing With Consumption Higher In Most Districts

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book survey of economic conditions coast-to-coast Wednesday found little change overall, with consumption “steady or higher,” labor still tight, manufacturing “flat to up” and supply conditions continuing to improve. The survey, assembled by the Chicago Fed, was tempered by some downsides, saying “high inflation and the end of […]

FOMC Minutes Show Uncertainty About Any June Rate Hike

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The Federal Open Market Committee participants were not sure what is their most likely policy decision at their June meeting as the Fed staff repeated its outlook for a mild recession at year end or early next year, the meeting minutes showed Wednesday. In fact, the staff told the meeting that the […]

Powell: Fed Committed To 2% Goal but May Need To Do Less Given Bank Stress

– Williams Blames Demand, Shocks for Inflation – Not Past Monetary Ease – Fed Policymakers Divided on Where Funds Rate Needs To Go By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell renewed the Fed’s commitment to reducing inflation Friday, but gave no clear indication whether he thinks the central bank will need […]

White House and Other Schedules for Wednesday, May 3

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following are Wednesday’s schedules for the White House, Treasury, USTR, the State Department and Capitol Hill as well as U.S. economic data and Federal Reserve events: DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2023 In the morning, the President will receive the President’s Daily Brief. The Vice President will attend. This […]

Analysis: To Pause or Not To Pause Is Question FOMC Must Face May 3

By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – To pause or not to pause may be the immediate question as the Federal Reserve rapidly approaches its May 2-3 monetary policy meeting, but ultimately the question is how much higher short-term interest rates will need to go and how long rates will need to stay high to bring […]

Fed’s Beige Bk Sees Tighter Credit, Little Change Otherwise

–Nine Districts Saw No Change or Slight Changges; Three Indicated ‘Modest Growth’ WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The “Beige Book” survey of economic activity coast-to-coast Wednesday described a generally static picture with only three Districts suggesting modest growth while credit availability deteriorated, sometimes “sharply.” The survey, assembled by the Richmond Fed, saw consumer spending generally “flat to […]

Fed’s Waller: More Rate Hikes Needed but Bank Credit Tightening Will Help Curb Inflation

By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said Friday that the Fed still needs to raise short-term interest rates further and leave them high for longer than many anticipate, but said tightening bank credit will likely lessen how much monetary policy will need to be tightened. Although headline inflation numbers have […]