Fed decision September 2020: Interest rates unchanged

The Federal Reserve kept its pledge to keep interest rates anchored near zero and pledged to keep rates there until inflation rises consistently.

As the central bank concluded its two-day policy meeting Wednesday, it said short-term rates would remain targeted at 0{3c4481f38fc19dde56b7b1f4329b509c88239ba5565146922180ec5012de023f}-0.25{3c4481f38fc19dde56b7b1f4329b509c88239ba5565146922180ec5012de023f}. Officials also changed their economic forecasts to reflect a smaller decline in GDP and a lower unemployment rate in 2020.

Projections from individual members  also indicated that rates could stay anchored near zero through 2023. All but four members indicated they see zero rates through then. This was the first time the committee forecast its outlook for 2023.

The decision comes amid stronger economic data during the third quarter. Most economists see a sharp rebound for the U.S. after it plunged into recession in February, a month before the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic.

Since then, the Fed has unloaded an unprecedented array of policy tools aimed at keeping markets functioning and the economy afloat. It initiated about a dozen lending and liquidity programs that have coincided with a massive rise in stocks and a steadying and in some cases major rise in economic indicators.

In addition, officials recently announced a new policy regime in which the Fed will allow inflation to run somewhat above the 2{3c4481f38fc19dde56b7b1f4329b509c88239ba5565146922180ec5012de023f} target rate before hiking rates to control inflation.

The policymaking Federal Open Market Committee adopted specific language to emphasize the inflation goal.

“With inflation running persistently below this longer run goal, the Committee will aim to achieve inflation moderately above 2 percent for some time so that inflation averages 2 percent over time and longer-term inflation expectations remain well anchored at 2 percent. The Committee expects to maintain an accommodative stance of monetary policy until these outcomes are achieved,” the post-meeting statement said.

The committee added that “it will be appropriate to maintain this target range until labor market conditions have reached levels consistent with the Committee’s assessments of maximum employment and inflation has risen to 2 percent and is on track to moderately exceed 2 percent for some time.”

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