financetom
Economy
financetom
/
Economy
/
Fed's Collins sees more rate cuts ahead for US central bank
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Fed's Collins sees more rate cuts ahead for US central bank
Nov 20, 2024 7:23 PM

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins reiterated on Wednesday she believes the U.S. central bank has more interest rate cuts ahead as it seeks to normalize monetary policy while inflation pressures ease.

"I expect additional adjustments will likely be appropriate over time, to move the policy rate gradually from its current restrictive stance back into a more neutral range," Collins said in the text of a speech prepared for delivery before the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. 

Collins cautioned, however, that rate cuts will be decided meeting-by-meeting, driven by data, without a preset plan of action.

The official said she favored a gradual course of action with an uncertain end game. "The intent is not to ease too quickly or too much, hindering the disinflation progress to date. At the same time, easing too slowly or too little could unnecessarily weaken the labor market," she noted.

Collins spoke as the Fed's December policy meeting approaches, and markets are debating whether the current 4.5% to 4.75% federal funds rate target range will be lowered. The Fed started cutting rates in September as inflation pressures have eased and worries about labor market health have risen. 

Collins was upbeat about the economy, describing it as being in a "good place overall, with inflation heading back to the 2% target amid a healthy labor market." Risks to the outlook are roughly in balance, she said, while flagging what is likely to be uneven progress on getting inflation back to target. 

"I see little scope for wages to disrupt the ongoing disinflation progress," Collins said, citing strong levels of productivity. It would not be good for the labor market grow weaker, she added.

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
Factbox-Brokerages stick to slower pace of Fed rate cut forecasts after inflation report
Factbox-Brokerages stick to slower pace of Fed rate cut forecasts after inflation report
Feb 3, 2025
(Reuters) -Most brokerages continue to expect a slower pace of interest rate cuts from the U.S. Federal Reserve in 2025 after personal consumption expenditures (PCE) data came in-line with market expectations. Meanwhile, U.S. President-elect Trump imposed tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China that could potentially become a crucial factor in the Fed's future policy decisions. Data on Friday showed, the...
US Manufacturing Confidence Tops Forecasts, Yet Price Pressures Intensify, 'Could Become A Concern,' Economist Says
US Manufacturing Confidence Tops Forecasts, Yet Price Pressures Intensify, 'Could Become A Concern,' Economist Says
Feb 3, 2025
The U.S. manufacturing sector surprisingly returned to expansion in January, signaling renewed business optimism, though mounting input costs pose a growing inflation risk for the months ahead. Two key indicators tracking U.S. factory activity that were released Monday showed stronger-than-expected growth last month. The S&P Global U.S. Manufacturing PMI was upwardly revised to 51.2, exceeding the preliminary estimate of 50.1...
US construction spending beats expectations in December
US construction spending beats expectations in December
Feb 3, 2025
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. construction spending increased more than expected in December, boosted by single-family homebuilding, but high mortgage rates could curb further gains in new residential construction. The Commerce Department's Census Bureau said on Monday that construction rose 0.5% after an upwardly revised 0.2% increase in November. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast construction spending would advance 0.2% after...
Fed's Collins says Fed can be patient on rates amid tariff uncertainty
Fed's Collins says Fed can be patient on rates amid tariff uncertainty
Feb 3, 2025
(Reuters) - Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins said Monday there's no urgency for the central bank to lower rates right now, as new trade tariffs announced by the Trump Administration could drive up inflation pressures. It's really appropriate for policy to be patient, careful, and there's no urgency for making additional adjustments, especially given all of the...
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved