Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell suggested the US central bank is inclined to hold interest rates steady again at its next meeting while leaving open the possibility of a future hike if policymakers see further signs of resilient economic growth.
The comments effectively affirm market expectations for the Fed to skip a rate increase for a second straight meeting when officials gather on October 31 and November 1. He also said a run-up in long-term treasury yields, if they persist, could lessen the need for further hikes “at the margin,” echoing his colleagues and underscoring the importance of tightening financial conditions to the rate outlook over the coming months. bloomberg
