Fed Weighs Wait-and-See Approach on Future Rate Increases
Under an evolving ‘data dependent’ strategy, the Federal Reserve could step back from the predictable path of quarterly raises
U.S. stock markets have gyrated this week with seemingly positive news on trade followed by President Trump tweeting he is still a "Tariff Man." U.S.-China tensions, plus worries about economic growth and the tech sector, spell more volatility ahead for investors.
Federal Reserve officials are considering whether to signal a new wait-and-see approach after a likely interest-rate increase at their meeting in December, which could slow down the pace of rate increases next year.
Officials still think the broad direction of short-term interest rates will be higher in 2019, according to recent interviews and public statements. But as they push up their benchmark, they are becoming less sure how fast they will need to act or how far they will need to go, and they want to assess how the economy...