MARKETS DIVE AS FED RAISES RATES AGAIN AND POWELL SUGGESTS FIGHT AGAINST INFLATION FAR FROM DONE

MARKETS DIVE AS FED RAISES RATES AGAIN AND POWELL SUGGESTS FIGHT AGAINST INFLATION FAR FROM DONE

By: Ken Chase.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

The U.S. Federal Reserve announced another 75-basis point increase in interest rates on Wednesday, in a move that had been widely anticipated by economists and market analysts. Despite those expectations, however, U.S. markets declined in frenzied trading after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell delivered remarks suggesting that further tightening of monetary policy might not slow as quickly as traders and analysts had hoped.

In a policy statement outlining the Fed’s plans to address inflation and future rate hikes, the central bank had suggested that it would consider the cumulative impact of its previous rate hikes. Many observers interpreted that language as a signal that the fourth and most recent consecutive 75-basis point rate hike might be the last large increase in interest rates. That prompted an initial surge in stock prices that quickly reversed course as Powell addressed reporters during his Wednesday press conference.

During his remarks to reporters, Powell noted that previous rate increases had yet to tame rampant inflation. According to the Fed Chair, “We still have some ways to go and incoming data since our last meeting suggests that the ultimate level of interest rates will be higher than previously expected.”

Powell’s suggestion that the so-called “terminal rate” at which the Fed ends its rate hikes would be higher than previously estimated also caused him to downplay the chances of achieving a “soft landing” for the economy. While he still held out hope that the Fed’s approach could help the economy avoid a harsh contraction, he admitted that the path to avoiding a severe recession will be narrower as interest rates continue to increase.

Learn more on this topic

Related Insights

Fed Signals No Imminent Rate Cuts Ahead

Fed Signals No Imminent Rate Cuts Ahead

Despite market expectations for imminent rate cuts, the Federal Reserve today confirmed its intent to leave interest rates at their current level. That marks the fourth straight pause on those rates, as inflation has continued to plague American consumers. Inflation...

NYC Sues FDIC for Overdue Signature Bank Taxes

NYC Sues FDIC for Overdue Signature Bank Taxes

New York City is suing the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) over $44 million in overdue taxes Signature Bank taxes. According to Bloomberg, the suit was filed in a Manhattan federal court on Monday. The suit targets the FDIC in its role as the failed...