Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic said on Tuesday that Fed officials should be cautious with policy decisions given uneven progress on lowering inflation and err on the side of keeping interest rates elevated to achieve their price stability goals, per Bloomberg.
Key quotes
Given that kind of bumpiness in the measures, I think that will call for our policy approach to be more cautious.
I want to make sure we get the right signal, and make sure that our policy is calibrated to that right signal. And if we’ve got to err, I would err on the upside.
I would want to make sure — for sure — that inflation gets to 2%, which means we may have to keep our policy rate higher longer than people might expect.
Inflation trends might show periods of stalling or more aggressive movement, reflecting variability in the data.
Ensuring policy aligns with reliable signals, even amid variability, is a key focus.
Preference to err on maintaining higher rates longer to ensure inflation reaches the 2% target.
Policy rate reductions may be slower or delayed to ensure consistent progress toward inflation goals.
Rates will likely remain elevated longer than originally anticipated to achieve the inflation target.
Market reaction
The US Dollar Index (DXY) is trading 0.02% lower on the day at 108.68, as of writing.
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.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD: Upside appears capped at 0.6300 on Trump's tariff fallout
AUD/USD struggles to build on the previous day's rebound and remains below the 0.6300 mark early Wednesday, anticipating US President Trump's tariffs announcement later in the day. However, buyers continue to draw support from China's stimulus optimism and RBA's prudence on the policy outlook.
USD/JPY holds losses below 150.00 as traders await Trump's tariffs
USD/JPY stays defensive below 150.00 in Wednesday's Asian trading as traders turn cautious ahead of Trump's reciprocal tariffs announcement. A cautious market mood and BoJ Ueda's comments underpin the Japanese Yen, keeping the pair under pressure amid a subdued US Dollar.
Gold risks a sharp pullback if Trump’s ‘reciprocal tariffs’ disappoint
Gold price regains traction on ‘Liberation Day’, having found fresh demand near the $3,110 region. The further upside in Gold price hinges on the highly anticipated US President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” later this Wednesday.
Solana traders risk $120 reversal as FTX begins $800M repayments on May 30
Solana’s price remained pinned below $130 on Tuesday, despite a broader market recovery. While Bitcoin, Ripple, and Cardano posted gains exceeding 3% over the past 24 hours, SOL lagged behind.
Is the US economy headed for a recession?
Leading economists say a recession is more likely than originally expected. With new tariffs set to be launched on April 2, investors and economists are growing more concerned about an economic slowdown or recession.
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.