INCOMING ECB HEAD LAGARDE URGES EUROPEAN STRUCTURAL REFORM
By Laurie Laird FRANKFURT (MaceNews) – The incoming president of the European Central Bank stressed the importance of structural reform and expansionary fiscal policy in her final public speech before taking over the reins of the bank, echoing the increasingly-urgent calls of her predecessor, Mario Draghi. Addressing leaders of Europe’s financial and political worlds, Christine Lagarde […]
DRAGHI: ECB COUNCIL ‘UNIFIED’ DESPITE POLITICAL PRESSURE ON RATE SETTERS
By Laurie Laird FRANKFURT (MaceNews) – European Central Bank rate setters have largely settled their policy disagreements, according to ECB President Mario Draghi, while acknowledging that global central banks are coming under increasing political pressure. Addressing reporters after his final meeting, Draghi described a “general call for unity” among governing council members, after a number […]
FED’S WILLIAMS: STILL ASSESSING WHETHER MORE RATE CUTS NEEDED
NEW YORK (MaceNews) – New York Fed President John Williams Thursday declined to say he favored a rate cut at the next Federal Open Market Committee meeting, saying instead that policy-makers are still assessing the need for additional measures. Williams, speaking to reporters after a speech to an industry group, was asked whether he favored […]
FED’S WILLIAMS: OPEN MKT OPERATIONS HAVE STABILIZED MONEY MARKET, MAY ADJUST AS NEEDED
NEW YORK (MaceNews) – The Federal Reserve’s renewed program of open market operations has stabilized money markets and is keeping the federal funds rate at its target level, and the Fed may adjust its program as needed over time, New York Fed President John Williams said Thursday. Williams, in remarks prepared for delivery to a […]
FED’S EVANS: POLICY REVIEW INCLUDES MAXIMUM RATE OF EMPLOYMENT
By Suzanne Cosgrove CHICAGO (MaceNews) – Chicago Fed President Charles Evans Thursday said the Fed is continuing to review measures of its dual goals of price stability and maximum employment as part of an examination of its policy framework begun late last year. “One of the key questions facing us today is whether the economy […]
FED’S BEIGE BK SEES ‘SLIGHT TO MODEST’ EXPANSION
—Many Business Contacts ‘Lowered Their Outlooks for Growth’ WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The Beige Book survey of economic conditions Wednesday was heavy on the use of “slightly,” “slowing, “subdued” and “stable,” reflecting the kind of growth depletion depicted in the unexpected decline in the morning’s report on retail sales. The survey, to be reviewed at the […]
FED’S EVANS: REPEATS, KEEPING OPEN MIND ON POLICY
By Suzanne Cosgrove CHICAGO (MaceNews) – Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Evans Wednesday repeated the economy is “in a good place” after recent rate cuts, but he is “keeping an open mind” headed into the Federal Open Market Committee meeting later this month. In remarks prepared for delivery to the Greater Peoria Economic Development […]
FED’S GEORGE: MOVING AHEAD WITH FEDNOW PAYMENTS SYSTEM
By Suzanne Cosgrove CHICAGO (MaceNews) – The Federal Reserve is moving quickly to design and implement its real-time payment system, known as FedNow, Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank President Esther George said Tuesday. “Work is under way now to engage with industry participants on the initial design and features of the service,” George said. George’s […]
FED OFFICIALS IN MORE CAUTIOUS, PATIENT MOOD AS FOMC MEETING NEARS
By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Those hoping for further aggressive credit easing by the Federal Reserve or for an indefinite continuation of interest rate cuts are likely to be disappointed, barring a weaker than expected U.S. economic performance or some event that significantly darkens the economic outlook beyond what Fed officials now envision. The […]
FED’S BULLARD: HOPES CAN TAKE BACK RATE CUT INSURANCE IN 2020
By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – Recent U.S. rate cuts have exerted an oversized dose of stimulus, potentially paving the way for moderate monetary tightening as early as next year, according to a noted Federal Reserve dove. “I am hopeful that the Fed has taken out enough insurance,” St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard […]