Fed Now Expecting Rate Increases in 2023, Not Before

Key Highlights

• After 2-day meeting this last Wednesday, Federal Reserve now anticipating rate hikes in 2023
• Current interest rate remains unchanged

Latest Meeting of Federal ReserveLeaves Interest Rates Unchanged…For Now

Officials of the Federal Reserve announced that interest rates would remain unchanged at its latest meeting this last Wednesday.

Also at its latest meeting, Fed officials announced its expectations for a rate “upgrade” of two interest rate increases by the end of 2023.  Such expectations are based (perhaps from it’s current rock bottom of 0.1% to 0.6%) on signs of a healing labor market and rising inflation.

Fed Both Optimistic & Cautious about Risks to Economic Outlook

In a statement released at the conclusion of its June 15-16 policy meeting, the Fed announced, “Progress on vaccinations has reduced the spread of COVID-19 in the United States.  Progress on vaccinations will likely continue to reduce the effects of the public health crisis on the economy, but risks to the economic outlook remain.”

Jerome H. Powell, the Fed chair, added to that cautiousness and optimism by saying.  “…we’re going to be in a very strong labor market pretty quickly here…” but, the Fed is in no rush to raise rates. Powell said “…whenever (the country’s economic) liftoff comes, policy will remain highly accommodative…(and)… discussing liftoff now would be highly premature.  Liftoff is well into the future.”

Recent Economic Data Surprising

Consumer sales in May dropped slightly from April’s increase.  May experts believe that consumers had “caught up” with their wish lists held over from the pandemic and that consumers are  now sitting on any extra money “left over” from stimulus checks.

Also, the latest data on new unemployment claims in May from the US Department of Labor rose.  This increase in new unemployment claims is happening simultaneously with employers being “slower than expected” in hiring amid record numbers of job openings.

Lastly, inflation has exceeded expectations.  Powell “…suggested (inflationary increases) were largely because of shortages and bottlenecks as the economy reopens.”

Powell also indicated that inflation “may” hit 3.4 – 3.6% this year and then flatten back to a 2.0 – 2.2 rate in 2022. (Obviously, market expectations for future inflation have increased.)

All of these indicators point to longer expectations for a “bumpy” ride to recovery.

Fed’s Two Main Goals Unchange

From the get-go in March 2020, the Fed has been clear about its two main goals – maximum employment and stable inflation – before cutting back the Fed’s bond purchases.

And, before raising interest rates, the Fed has been clear about seeing the job market return to full strength and inflation to track at an average of 2% over time.

Fed officials, on the whole, expect to achieve these above goals by late 2023.

Thanks to The Wall Street Journal.

URGENT: 2021 Results Released. New FREE On-Line Web Event Reveals 17 Surprising Secrets Of The Top 100 Millionaire Agents. Get Your FREE Spot For The On-Line Webinar Now. When You Attend This Event You Will Have A Sense Of Relief Knowing You Can FINALLY Laugh At Your Money Worries – If You Follow This Simple Plan. Learn How To Generate 100’s of Motivated Leads Without Coming Off As A Pushy Salesperson and Losing Your Soul. Learn Now How To Become One of the 1000s of Agents Making HUGE Money NOW Who Never Thought They Could.