FOMC mantém política monetária atual, com Fed Funds Rate de 2,25% a 2,5%

Assim como largamente esperado pelo mercado, o Federal Reserve manteve a taxa básica de juro nos EUA dentro do intervalo de 2,25% a 2,5% ao ano, conforme comunicado do FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) desta quarta-feira (30).

O foco dos investidores, no comunicado da autoridade monetária, foi na retirada da parte de “elevações graduais” na Fed Funds Rate.

A economia norte-americana mostra força, com a taxa de desemprego abaixo de 4%, crescimento nos salários e expectativa de lucros corporativos altos, além de otimismo no consumo das famílias.

Os olhos do mercado se voltarão às 17h30 (horário de Brasília) para a coletiva de imprensa de Jerome Powell, presidente da autarquia.

Confira abaixo íntegra do statement:

“Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in December indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been rising at a solid rate. Job gains have been strong, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Household spending has continued to grow strongly, while growth of business fixed investment has moderated from its rapid pace earlier last year. On a 12-month basis, both overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy remain near 2 percent. Although market-based measures of inflation compensation have moved lower in recent months, survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed.

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. In support of these goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 percent. The Committee continues to view sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the Committee’s symmetric 2 percent objective as the most likely outcomes. In light of global economic and financial developments and muted inflation pressures, the Committee will be patient as it determines what future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate may be appropriate to support these outcomes.

In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its maximum employment objective and its symmetric 2 percent inflation objective. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments.

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Jerome H. Powell, Chairman; John C. Williams, Vice Chairman; Michelle W. Bowman; Lael Brainard; James Bullard; Richard H. Clarida; Charles L. Evans; Esther L. George; Randal K. Quarles; and Eric S. Rosengren.”