The Federal Reserves decided Wednesday to cut federal funds target rate 50 basis points to 1%, and discount rate by half a point to 1.25%. The Federal Open Market Committee said its recent action should improve credit conditions. But, it warned that “downside risks to growth remain.” Vote to cut rate was unanimous.
FOMC Statement:
The pace of economic activity appears to have slowed markedly, owing importantly to a decline in consumer expenditures. Business equipment spending and industrial production have weakened in recent months, and slowing economic activity in many foreign economies is damping the prospects for U.S. exports. Moreover, the intensification of financial market turmoil is likely to exert additional restraint on spending, partly by further reducing the ability of households and businesses to obtain credit.
In light of the declines in the prices of energy and other commodities and the weaker prospects for economic activity, the Committee expects inflation to moderate in coming quarters to levels consistent with price stability.
Recent policy actions, including today’s rate reduction, coordinated interest rate cuts by central banks, extraordinary liquidity measures, and official steps to strengthen financial systems, should help over time to improve credit conditions and promote a return to moderate economic growth. Nevertheless, downside risks to growth remain. The Committee will monitor economic and financial developments carefully and will act as needed to promote sustainable economic growth and price stability.
Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Elizabeth A. Duke; Richard W. Fisher; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Sandra Pianalto; Charles I. Plosser; Gary H. Stern; and Kevin M. Warsh.
In a related action, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a 50-basis-point decrease in the discount rate to 1-1/4 percent. In taking this action, the Board approved the requests submitted by the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Boston, New York, Cleveland, and San Francisco.
Pimco’s Bill Gross, appearing on CNBC, said the 50 bps cut was expected and that the language in the statement suggests further cuts or that the rate will stay at 1% for an extended period of time.
The Fed’s cut is certainly good news for borrowers, but bad for savers – since returns from conservative investments will continue to fall.
This is the ninth time that the Fed has lowered rates since Sept. ’07.
When will the Fed and the rest of the central banks run out of bullets??