August 9, 2011 FOMC Statement

FOMC statement

FOMC statement

For immediate release

Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in April June indicates that the economic recovery is continuing at a moderate pace, though somewhat more slowly growth so far this year has been considerably slower than the Committee had expected. Also, recent Indicators suggest a deterioration in overall labor market indicators have been weaker than anticipated. The slower pace of conditions in recent months, and the recovery reflects unemployment rate has moved up. Household spending has flattened out, investment in part factors that are likely nonresidential structures is still weak, and the housing sector remains depressed. However, business investment in equipment and software continues to be temporary, expand. Temporary factors, including the damping effect of higher food and energy prices on consumer purchasing power and spending as well as supply chain disruptions associated with the tragic events in Japan. Household spending and business investment in equipment and software continue Japan, appear to expand. However, investment in nonresidential structures is still weak, and account for only some of the housing sector continues to be depressed. recent weakness in economic activity. Inflation has picked up earlier in recent months, the year, mainly reflecting higher prices for some commodities and imported goods, as well as the recent supply chain disruptions. However, longer-term More recently, inflation has moderated as prices of energy and some commodities have declined from their earlier peaks. Longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable.

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The unemployment rate remains elevated; however, the Committee now expects the a somewhat slower pace of recovery to pick up over coming quarters than it did at the time of the previous meeting and anticipates that the unemployment rate to resume its gradual will decline only gradually toward levels that the Committee judges to be consistent with its dual mandate. Inflation has moved up recently, but Moreover, downside risks to the economic outlook have increased. The Committee also anticipates that inflation will subside to settle, over coming quarters, at levels at or below those consistent with the Committee's dual mandate as the effects of past energy and other commodity price increases dissipate. dissipate further. However, the Committee will continue to pay close attention to the evolution of inflation and inflation expectations.

To promote the ongoing economic recovery and to help ensure that inflation, over time, is at levels consistent with its mandate, the Committee decided today to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent. The Committee continues to anticipate currently anticipates that economic conditions--including low rates of resource utilization and a subdued outlook for inflation over the medium run--are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate for an extended period. at least through mid-2013. The Committee also will complete its purchases of $600 billion of longer-term Treasury securities by the end of this month and will maintain its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its securities holdings. The Committee will regularly review the size and composition of its securities holdings and is prepared to adjust those holdings as appropriate.

The Committee discussed the range of policy tools available to promote a stronger economic recovery in a context of price stability.  It will continue to assess the economic outlook in light of incoming information and is prepared to employ these tools as appropriate.

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; William C. Dudley, Vice Chairman; Elizabeth A. Duke; Charles L. Evans; Richard W. Fisher; Narayana Kocherlakota; Charles I. Plosser; Sarah Bloom Raskin; Daniel K. Tarullo; and Janet L. Yellen.

Voting against the action were: Richard W. Fisher, Narayana Kocherlakota, and Charles I. Plosser, who would have preferred to continue to describe economic conditions as likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate for an extended period.

The Committee will monitor the economic outlook and financial developments and will act as needed to best foster maximum employment and price stability.

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