WASHINGTON, Nov 7 (KUNA) -- The US Federal Reserve said Thursday its Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/4 percentage point to 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 percent.
The move, that took place one day after former President Donald Trump election victory, is the second time the Fed cuts the interest rate in seven weeks after the one in September.
"Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace," according to a Fed press release.
Since earlier in the year, labor market conditions have generally eased, and the unemployment rate has moved up but remains low. Inflation has made progress toward FOMC's two percent objective but remains somewhat elevated.
The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of two percent over the longer run. The Committee judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are roughly in balance, the statement noted.
The economic outlook is uncertain, and the Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate. -- In considering additional 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 will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage backed securities.
The Committee is strongly committed to supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its two percent objective.
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 into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments. (end) asj.mmg.gb