Economists anticipate that the resilience of the U.S. economy will lead the Federal Reserve to implement one more interest rate increase this year. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will reportedly maintain rates between 5.25% and 5.5% in its September 19-20 meeting, delaying any reductions until May of next year. This change in plans pushes back the original economists’ projections by two months, as revealed in a report by Bloomberg.
The FOMC’s quarterly Summary of Economic Projections indicates that while policymakers anticipate another rate hike this year, they might decide against the final increase. Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve Chair, mentioned that although they are considering pausing hikes for now, they stand ready to apply further restrictions if required, particularly if inflation remains high.
Recent projections reflect optimism about the U.S. economy. The forecast for this year’s economic growth has doubled from June’s 1% to 2%. Similarly, expectations suggest a reduction in unemployment, going from June’s 4.1% rate to the current 3.8%. Projections for the inflation rate remain elevated, anticipating a 3.2% rate by the end of the year. However, the core inflation outlook, excluding food and energy, has slightly improved, standing at 3.8%.
Despite the Federal Reserve’s potential rate hike, the majority of economists do not anticipate further increases. The consensus is that current inflation and wage growth rates will influence the FOMC’s decisions, pushing them to be more cautious. While the FOMC raised its benchmark rate to a range of 5.25% to 5.5% in July, a level not seen in 22 years, the decision for another rate hike remains uncertain.
Economic projections are generally optimistic, with only 45% of surveyed economists forecasting a recession in the upcoming year. This number has decreased from 58% in July and 67% in April. In alignment with this positive outlook, the FOMC is set to further reduce its balance sheet by not replacing maturing bonds, expecting it to decrease to $7.8 trillion by this December and $6.8 trillion by 2025.
Why Small Business Owners Need to Know This:
- Interest Rate Influence: Changes in interest rates can impact borrowing costs for businesses. Higher rates can make borrowing more expensive, potentially affecting growth and expansion plans.
- Economic Health Insights: Understanding the economic outlook can help businesses prepare for future market conditions. A positive outlook may indicate a stable environment for business growth, while concerns about a recession can signal a need for caution.
- Inflation’s Impact: Inflation rates influence purchasing power. Elevated inflation can lead to increased costs for goods and services, affecting both businesses and their customers.
This article, “Federal Reserve May Raise Interest Rate Again Before End of 2023” was first published on Small Business Trends