Chair
Chair
Chair
Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job
gains have remained strong, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Inflation has eased
The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of
2 percent over the longer run. The Committee judges that the risks to achieving its employment
and inflation goals are moving into better balance. The economic outlook is uncertain, and the
In support of its goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal
funds rate at 5-1/4 to 5-1/2 percent. In considering any adjustments to the target range for the
federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and
the balance of risks. The Committee does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target
range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent.
In addition, the Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency
debt and agency mortgage-backed securities, as described in its previously announced plans.
In assessing the appropriate stance of monetary policy, the Committee will continue to
monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook. The Committee
would be prepared to adjust the stance of monetary policy as appropriate if risks emerge that
could impede the attainment of the Committee’s goals. The Committee’s assessments will take
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into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions,
inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments.
Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams,
Vice Chair; Thomas I. Barkin; Michael S. Barr; Raphael W. Bostic; Michelle W. Bowman; Lisa
D. Cook; Mary C. Daly; Philip N. Jefferson; Adriana D. Kugler; Loretta J. Mester; and
Christopher J. Waller.
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Attachment
• In a related action, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System voted
unanimously to approve the establishment of the primary credit rate at the existing level
of 5.5 percent.
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This information will be updated as appropriate to reflect decisions of the Federal Open Market
Committee or the Board of Governors regarding details of the Federal Reserve's operational tools
and approach used to implement monetary policy.
More information regarding open market operations and reinvestments may be found on the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York's website.