The Federal Reserve raised the Fed Funds Rate 1/4 point at the conclusion of their FOMC meeting today. The rate will now be a target range of 5.25% to 5.50% effective tomorrow. They continue to condition “additional policy firming” on future developments and analysis.
Banks are expected to raise the Prime Rate to 8.50% effective tomorrow. SOFR Rates will rise as well.
The Federal Reserve says it will continue to reduce its holdings of mortgage and treasury securities according to the same plan it announced in May 2022, reducing mortgage securities by $35 billion per month and treasury securities by $60 billion per month. They have yet to hit the cumulative targets in their efforts at tapering their balance sheet and continue to maintain a much higher balance sheet than expected.
Press Release
July 26, 2023
Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement
For release at 2:00 p.m. EDT
Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a moderate pace. Job gains have been robust in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Inflation remains elevated.
The U.S. banking system is sound and resilient. Tighter credit conditions for households and businesses are likely to weigh on economic activity, hiring, and inflation. The extent of these effects remains uncertain. The Committee remains highly attentive to inflation risks.
The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. In support of these goals, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 5-1/4 to 5-1/2 percent. The Committee will continue to assess additional information and its implications for monetary policy. In determining the extent of additional policy firming that may be appropriate to return inflation to 2 percent over time, the Committee will take into account the cumulative tightening of monetary policy, the lags with which monetary policy affects economic activity and inflation, and economic and financial developments. In addition, the Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities, as described in its previously announced plans. The Committee is strongly committed to returning inflation to its 2 percent objective.
In assessing the appropriate stance of monetary policy, the Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook. The Committee would be prepared to adjust the stance of monetary policy as appropriate if risks emerge that could impede the attainment of the Committee’s goals. The Committee’s assessments will take into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments.
Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Michael S. Barr; Michelle W. Bowman; Lisa D. Cook; Austan D. Goolsbee; Patrick Harker; Philip N. Jefferson; Neel Kashkari; Lorie K. Logan; and Christopher J. Waller.