Fed releases minutes from Dec. 12 meeting
Inflation likely to moderate, FOMC says
Growth in consumer spending offset continuing softness in automobile and housing-related sales
A spike in inflation or a deeper-than-expected housing slump could complicate things for the U.S. economy, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said today. “The deceleration in economic activity currently underway appears to be taking place roughly along the lines envisioned,” Bernanke said in prepared remarks to the National Italian American Foundation in New York.The […]
U.S. economy set to expand at a moderate pace
U.S. inflation expected to decline gradually
Economists expect Fed to remain on sidelines, anticipate hikes in 2007
But further interest rates may be necessary to bring inflation down more rapidly, they noted
But warns that geopolitical concerns may slow down the pace of global economic integration
But additional firming may be needed in the near future to address inflation risks