Fed’s Brainard backs further monetary tightening

Fed Vice Chair Lael Brainard reiterated on Wednesday that the Fed’s policy rate will need to rise further and that they will need to keep the policy restrictive ‘for some time’.

The US Dollar Index showed no immediate reaction to Brainard’s comments and was last seen losing 0.25% on the day at 109.97.

Brainard also stressed that policymakers’ resolve is firm, and that their goals are clear and that their tools are up to the task.

“We need several months of low monthly inflation readings to be confident inflation is moving down to 2%”, Brainard noted adding that “Higher policy rate, balance sheet reduction should help bring demand into alignment with supply.”

Additional Quotes

“Especially important to guard against rise in inflation expectations.”

“Labour demand continues to exhibit considerable strength, hard to reconcile with more downbeat tone of activity.”

“May take some time for full effect of tighter financial conditions to work through economy.”

“At some point in tightening cycle, risks will become more two-sided.”