Key Takeaways
- Federal Reserve Gov. Michelle Bowman said investors may anticipate more interest rate cuts than the central bank could need to make.
- In their projections, central bankers expect to make a quarter-percentage-point cut at their next meeting, while traders are pricing in about a 50% chance of another half-point cut.
- While Bowman commented on interest rates, several Federal Reserve officials have not commented on interest rate policy since last week’s decision.
Just because the Federal Res🅷erve made a steeper interest rate cut last week than many expected, don’t ꦦcount on central bankers to keep delivering sizable rate cuts, one central banker said Thursday.
Federal Reserve Gov. Michelle Bowman said in a speech Thursday at a bankers' conference that economic conditions may not permit Fed officials to cut the influential federal funds rate at the pace 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:some investors are anticipating.
Last week, Bowman voted against the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Fed’s decision to red﷽uce interest rates, arguing that the half-percentage-point move was too large, though she agreed it was 🍨time to cut.
Bowman Says Inflation Still 'Uncomfortably' High
Bowman said inflation🐈 was “uncomfortably” above its target while the labor market was still near fu𝔍ll employment.
“Although the labor market data have been showing signs of ♔cooling in recent months, still-elevated wage growth, solid consumer spending, and resilient GDP growth are not consistent with a material economic weakening or fragility,” Bowman said.
Markets Price in 50% Chance of Another Big Cut
Bowman said a bigger rate cut could signal to markets that the economy is weaker than it looked or that additional🃏 “jumbo”-size cuts may be comin♒g down the pike.
She said rates won't need to be cut as steeply as some investors have priced in. According to the CME Group's FedWatch Tool, which forecasts rate movements based on fed funds futures trading data, traders are pricing in about a 50% chance of a half-point cut in the next meeting in November.
In their latest economic projections, Fed officials have 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:forecast a quarter-perce𒁏ntage ꦫpoint cut at that meeting, anothe👍r in the December meeting and a 🌃full percentage point of rate cuts next year.
Kugler Anticipates More Interest Rate Cuts
While investors may be pricing 🐈in more than central bankers expect to cut, another Fed official reiterated that cuts are still on the way.
At a separate speaking event at Harvard University, Federal Reserve Gov. Adriana Kugler said the central bank’s move to lower interest rates would prevent “unnecessary pain and weakness” in the economy as price pressures continued to ease.
“If progress on inflation continues as I expect, I will support additional 🎐cuts in the federal funds rate going forward,” she said.
While several Federal Reserve officials, including Fed Chair Jerome Powell, delivered remarks today, only Bowman and Kugler addressed interest rates and the economy. Powell will speak next Monday at an economic conference, where his remarks could include discussions on the Fed’s path for interest rates.