FOMC Summary of Economic Projections

Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has been little changed in recent months. Inflation remains somewhat elevated. The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. Uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated. The implications of developments in the Middle East for the U.S. economy are uncertain. The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate. In support of its goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3‑1/2 to 3‑3/4 percent. In considering the extent and timing of 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 is strongly committed to supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2 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. FOMC STATEMENT COMPARE pic.twitter.com/UcWP3V984g FED SAYS IS 'ATTENTIVE' TO RISKS TO BOTH SIDES OF DUAL MANDATE FED: VOTE IN FAVOR OF POLICY WAS 11-1, WITH GOVERNOR MIRAN DISSENTING IN FAVOR OF 25-BASIS-POINT RATE CUT

POWELL: IMPLICATIONS OF MIDDLE EAST DEVELOPMENTS UNCERTAIN Fed's Powell: Consumer spending is resliient. *POWELL: NEAR-TERM INFLATION EXPECTATIONS ARE UP IN RECENT WEEKS *POWELL: UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS CHANGED LITTLE SINCE LAST SUMMER POWELL: ESTIMATE FEB PCE INFLATION 2.8%, CORE PCE AT 3.0%

POWELL: INFLATION EXPECTATIONS IN NEAR TERM HAVE RISEN POWELL: LAST YEAR'S RATE CUTS BRING TO PLAUSIBLE ESTIMATE OF NEUTRAL ... POWELL: THERE WILL BE SOME EFFECTS ON INFLATION COMING FORWARD *POWELL: HIGHER ENERGY PRICES WILL PUSH UP OVERALL INFLATION *POWELL: TOO SOON TO KNOW FULL ECONOMIC EFFECTS FROM MIDDLE EAST