Fed's Williams says more rate hikes needed to bring down inflation
Reuters
Published Oct 07, 2022 12:32PM ET
Updated Oct 07, 2022 05:56PM ET
By Michael S. Derby
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Reuters) -New York Federal Reserve President John Williams said on Friday the U.S. central bank has more work to do to lower inflation and rebalance economic activity in a more sustainable way, and he warned that the unemployment rate will most likely rise as part of that process.
"We need to get interest rates up further and basically get interest rates above where inflation is," and that could lead the central bank towards a target rate of around 4.5%, Williams said at a gathering held at SUNY Buffalo State in Buffalo, New York. Doing so will better balance supply with demand "in a way that brings down inflation quickly."
Williams, who also serves as vice chair of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), spoke in the wake of the release of employment data that showed the U.S. economy added 263,000 jobs last month versus 315,000 in August. The unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in September from 3.7% in August.
The jobs report bolstered prospects for more aggressive interest rate rises and kept the central bank on track to raise its benchmark overnight interest rate - currently in the 3.00%-3.25% range - by three-quarters of a percentage point at its Nov. 1-2 policy meeting.
The Fed has boosted the federal funds target rate, which it uses to influence the momentum of the economy, from near zero at the beginning of this year, and officials have penciled in increases that will take that rate to around 4.6% by next year.
Williams said the U.S. economy has "a very strong labor market, which is a good thing except for very high inflation," which is being countered by central bank rate rises. He added over time, "you are likely going to see the labor market, you know, maybe not be as strong in terms of the job growth we've been seeing."
He added that there was an economic slowdown underway, especially in the housing market. But he said he doesn't expect the economy to tip over into a contraction, a fear that is common in financial markets.
"I do see positive growth next year" and "I see the unemployment rate coming up somewhat, but most importantly, I see inflation coming down pretty significantly next year," Williams said.
BUSY WEEK
Williams spoke at the end of a busy week for commentary by his fellow central bank policymakers. Williams kicked off the week when he said on Monday the Fed still had some ways to go with rate rises to get high levels of inflation under control. He noted then that while there are some signs overall inflation may be cooling as pandemic-related disruptions ease, overall price pressures remain problematic and will take years to bring back to the Fed's 2% target.
Meanwhile, other officials offered hawkish comments on monetary policy and some said that turbulence in financial markets would not deter them from taking action to lower inflation, which by the Fed's preferred measure is running at more than three times its target.
Get The News You Want
"I've read some speculation recently that financial stability concerns could possibly lead the FOMC to slow rate increases or halt them earlier than expected," Fed Governor Christopher Waller said on Thursday, adding "let me be clear that this is not something I'm considering or believe to be a very likely development."
Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said separately on Thursday that he saw no evidence inflation was trending downward in a notable way, adding that he was "not comfortable" saying the central bank was going to pause its rate rises until that happened.
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.