Fed’s Logan sees two more hikes, flags faster winter tightening
Dallas Federal Reserve (Fed) President Lorie Logan said on Tuesday the Fed will need at least two additional 25-basis-point rate hikes, adding that the Fed is 50 basis points below a “modestly restrictive level.”
In remarks at the 11th joint energy conference hosted by the Federal Reserve banks of Dallas and Kansas City, Logan said that “more rapid rate hikes possibly needed this winter,” and that adjusting policy gradually can reduce the risks that economic activity could deteriorate sharply. She stated that after two rate increases, “it would make sense to pause” to assess what further action might be needed.
Key highlights:
It is clear that Fed needs at least two more quarter-percentage-point rate increases
More rapid rate hikes possibly needed this winter
It may be possible to raise interest rates more rapidly this winter than the US central bank has moved so far
Adjusting policy gradually can reduce the risk that economic activity deteriorates more sharply than necessary
Important to promptly achieve balance in outlook, risks for inflation and employment
Higher bond-market rates signal monetary policy has work to do, not an independent tailwind for activity
After two more rate hikes, it would make sense to pause and assess what further action may be appropriate
Fed policy rate is at least 50 basis points below a modestly restrictive level
Wartime energy disruptions not the only source of price pressures
Accommodative policy is adding to inflationary pressures; the real Fed funds rate is 78 basis points, data suggest
Concerned that higher-than-expected consumer price index means personal consumption expenditures inflation could rise
Labor market is balanced and even tightening a bit
Inflation is trending meaningfully higher than the 2% goal
Economic growth is strong, consumer spending solid, business spending robust
Price pressures are also broader than tariffs, and the broad trend is likely to persist
US Dollar Price Today
The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the strongest against the Australian Dollar.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 0.60% | 0.81% | 0.52% | 0.61% | 1.04% | 0.72% | 0.86% | |
| EUR | -0.60% | 0.20% | -0.07% | 0.02% | 0.44% | 0.13% | 0.26% | |
| GBP | -0.81% | -0.20% | -0.28% | -0.18% | 0.23% | -0.08% | 0.05% | |
| JPY | -0.52% | 0.07% | 0.28% | 0.09% | 0.51% | 0.19% | 0.32% | |
| CAD | -0.61% | -0.02% | 0.18% | -0.09% | 0.42% | 0.10% | 0.24% | |
| AUD | -1.04% | -0.44% | -0.23% | -0.51% | -0.42% | -0.31% | -0.19% | |
| NZD | -0.72% | -0.13% | 0.08% | -0.19% | -0.10% | 0.31% | 0.14% | |
| CHF | -0.86% | -0.26% | -0.05% | -0.32% | -0.24% | 0.19% | -0.14% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).
Fed FAQs
Monetary policy in the US is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, it raises interest rates, increasing borrowing costs throughout the economy. This results in a stronger US Dollar (USD) as it makes the US a more attractive place for international investors to park their money. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates to encourage borrowing, which weighs on the Greenback.
The Federal Reserve (Fed) holds eight policy meetings a year, where the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) assesses economic conditions and makes monetary policy decisions. The FOMC is attended by twelve Fed officials – the seven members of the Board of Governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and four of the remaining eleven regional Reserve Bank presidents, who serve one-year terms on a rotating basis.
In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve may resort to a policy named Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used during crises or when inflation is extremely low. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy high grade bonds from financial institutions. QE usually weakens the US Dollar.
Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process of QE, whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing, to purchase new bonds. It is usually positive for the value of the US Dollar.