United States Prime Rate Rises to 5.50%

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve has just adjourned its eighth and final monetary policy meeting of 2018, and, in accordance with our forecast, has voted to raise the benchmark target range for the federal funds rate from 2.00% - 2.25% to 2.25% - 2.50%.  Therefore, the United States Prime Rate (a.k.a the Fed Prime Rate) is now 5.50%, effective tomorrow (December 20, 2018.)

============

Here's a clip from today's FOMC press release (note text in bold):

"...Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in November indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been rising at a strong 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 in the year. On a 12-month basis, both overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy remain near 2 percent. Indicators of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed, on balance.

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The Committee judges that some further gradual increases in the target range for the federal funds rate will be consistent with sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the Committee's symmetric 2 percent objective over the medium term. The Committee judges that risks to the economic outlook are roughly balanced, but will continue to monitor global economic and financial developments and assess their implications for the economic outlook.

In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 2-1/4 to 2‑1/2 percent.

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; Thomas I. Barkin; Raphael W. Bostic; Michelle W. Bowman; Lael Brainard; Richard H. Clarida; Mary C. Daly; Loretta J. Mester; and Randal K. Quarles..."

==========

ECONOMIC PROJECTIONS

==========



==========


 

--> www.FedPrimeRate.com Privacy Policy <-- >  SITEMAP  <

United States Prime Rate Rises to 5.25%

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve has just adjourned its sixth monetary policy meeting of 2018, and, in accordance with our forecast, has voted to raise the benchmark target range for the federal funds rate from 1.75% - 2.00% to 2.00% - 2.25%.  Therefore, the United States Prime Rate (a.k.a the Fed Prime Rate) is now 5.25%, effective tomorrow (September 27, 2018.)

============

Here's a clip from today's FOMC press release (note text in bold):

"...Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in August indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been rising at a strong rate. Job gains have been strong, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has stayed low. Household spending and business fixed investment have grown strongly. On a 12-month basis, both overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy remain near 2 percent. Indicators of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed, on balance.

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The Committee expects that further gradual increases in the target range for the federal funds rate will be consistent with sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the Committee's symmetric 2 percent objective over the medium term. Risks to the economic outlook appear roughly balanced.

In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 2 to 2-1/4 percent.

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; Thomas I. Barkin; Raphael W. Bostic; Lael Brainard; Richard H. Clarida; Esther L. George; Loretta J. Mester; and Randal K. Quarles..."

==========

ECONOMIC PROJECTIONS

==========


==========

--> www.FedPrimeRate.com Privacy Policy <-- >  SITEMAP  <

United States Prime Rate Rises to 5.00%

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve has just adjourned its fourth monetary policy meeting of 2018, and, in accordance with our forecast, has voted to raise the benchmark target range for the federal funds rate from 1.50% - 1.75% to 1.75% - 2.00%.  Therefore, the United States Prime Rate (a.k.a the Fed Prime Rate) is now 5.00%, effective tomorrow (June 14, 2018.)

============

Here's a clip from today's FOMC press release (note text in bold):

"...Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in May 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 declined. Recent data suggest that growth of household spending has picked up, while business fixed investment has continued to grow strongly. On a 12-month basis, both overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy have moved close to 2 percent. Indicators of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed, on balance.

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The Committee expects that further gradual increases in the target range for the federal funds rate will be consistent with sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the Committee's symmetric 2 percent objective over the medium term. Risks to the economic outlook appear roughly balanced.

In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 1-3/4 to 2 percent. The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting strong labor market conditions and a sustained return to 2 percent inflation.

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; William C. Dudley, Vice Chairman; Thomas I. Barkin; Raphael W. Bostic; Lael Brainard; Loretta J. Mester; Randal K. Quarles; and John C. Williams..."

==========

ECONOMIC PROJECTIONS

==========



==========




==========

--> www.FedPrimeRate.com Privacy Policy <-- >  SITEMAP  <

Odds At 98.4% (Very Likely) The United States Prime Rate Will Hold At 4.75% After The May 2, 2018 FOMC Monetary Policy Meeting

Prime Rate Forecast

Prime Rate Forecast

As of right now, odds are at 98.4% the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will vote to leave the target range for the benchmark fed funds rate  at 1.50% - 1.75% at the May 2^ND, 2018 monetary policy meeting (very likely.)

=======

The current Prime Rate, which went into effect on March 21^ST, 2018, is 4.75%.

=======

NB: U.S. Prime Rate = (The Fed Funds Target Rate + 3)

=======

On Friday, we learned that the U.S. economy added a yawning 103,000 jobs during March 2018, and:

• While the U-3 (headline) unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, the U-6 rate improved from 8.2% during February, to 8.0% in March 2018.  U-6 was 8.8% during March 2017.
• Average hourly earnings rose by +0.3% month-to-month, and by +2.72% year-on-year.  Average weekly earnings advanced by +3.32% Y/Y.
• Month-to-month, the Civilian Labor Force Participation Rate edged lower, from 63.0% to 62.9%.

Year-on-year, the Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index crept a bit closer to the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation target; from 1.5% to 1.6% during February 2018.

=======

Stay tuned for the latest economic data, and the latest odds...

=======

Current Odds

• Current odds the United States Prime Rate will remain at 4.75% after the May 2^ND, 2018 FOMC monetary policy meeting: 98.4%  (very likely), with 1.6% odds (very unlikely) the U.S. Prime Rate will rise to 5.00%.
  
  ==========
• Current odds the United States Prime Rate will rise to 5.00% after the June 13^TH, 2018 FOMC monetary policy meeting: 83.9%  (somewhat likely), with 14.8% odds (not likely) the U.S. Prime Rate will hold at the current 4.75%, and 1.3% odds (very unlikely) the U.S. Prime Rate will rise to 5.25%.
  
  ==========

• NB: United States Prime Rate = (The Fed Funds Target Rate + 3)

=========

--> www.FedPrimeRate.com Privacy Policy <-- >  SITEMAP  <

Odds At 95.9% (Very Likely) The United States Prime Rate Will Hold At 4.75% After The May 2, 2018 FOMC Monetary Policy Meeting

Prime Rate Forecast

Prime Rate Forecast

As of right now, odds are at 95.9% the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will vote to leave the target range for the benchmark fed funds rate  at 1.50% - 1.75% at the May 2^ND, 2018 monetary policy meeting (very likely.)

=======

The current Prime Rate, which went into effect on March 21^ST, 2018, is 4.75%.

=======

NB: U.S. Prime Rate = (The Fed Funds Target Rate + 3)

=======

Jerome H. Powell's term as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is four years.

Here is Mr. Powell's first press conference as Fed Boss:

=======

=======

Stay tuned for the latest economic data, and the latest odds...

=======

Current Odds

• Current odds the United States Prime Rate will remain at 4.75% after the May 2^ND, 2018 FOMC monetary policy meeting: 95.9%  (very likely), with 4.1% odds (very unlikely) the U.S. Prime Rate will rise to 5.00%.
  
  ==========
  
• Current odds the United States Prime Rate will rise to 5.00% after the June 13^TH, 2018 FOMC monetary policy meeting: 79.8%  (somewhat likely), with 16.8% odds (not likely) the U.S. Prime Rate will hold at the current 4.75%, and 3.4% odds (very unlikely) the U.S. Prime Rate will rise to 5.25%.
  
  ==========

• NB: United States Prime Rate = (The Fed Funds Target Rate + 3)

=========

--> www.FedPrimeRate.com Privacy Policy <-- >  SITEMAP  <

United States Prime Rate Rises to 4.75%

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve has just adjourned its second monetary policy meeting of 2018, and, in accordance with our latest forecast, has voted to raise the benchmark target range for the federal funds rate from 1.25% - 1.50% to 1.50% - 1.75%.  Therefore, the United States Prime Rate (a.k.a the Fed Prime Rate) is now 4.75%, effective tomorrow (March 22, 2018.)

============

Here's a clip from today's FOMC press release (note text in bold):

"...Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in January indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been rising at a moderate rate. Job gains have been strong in recent months, and the unemployment rate has stayed low. Recent data suggest that growth rates of household spending and business fixed investment have moderated from their strong fourth-quarter readings. On a 12-month basis, both overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy have continued to run below 2 percent. Market-based measures of inflation compensation have increased in recent months but remain low; survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed, on balance.

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The economic outlook has strengthened in recent months. The Committee expects that, with further gradual adjustments in the stance of monetary policy, economic activity will expand at a moderate pace in the medium term and labor market conditions will remain strong. Inflation on a 12-month basis is expected to move up in coming months and to stabilize around the Committee's 2 percent objective over the medium term. Near-term risks to the economic outlook appear roughly balanced, but the Committee is monitoring inflation developments closely.

In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 percent. The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting strong labor market conditions and a sustained return to 2 percent inflation.

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 objectives of maximum employment and 2 percent inflation. 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. The Committee will carefully monitor actual and expected inflation developments relative to its symmetric inflation goal. The Committee expects that economic conditions will evolve in a manner that will warrant further gradual increases in the federal funds rate; the federal funds rate is likely to remain, for some time, below levels that are expected to prevail in the longer run. However, the actual path of the federal funds rate will depend on the economic outlook as informed by incoming data.

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chairman; William C. Dudley, Vice Chairman; Thomas I. Barkin; Raphael W. Bostic; Lael Brainard; Loretta J. Mester; Randal K. Quarles; and John C. Williams..."

==========

ECONOMIC PROJECTIONS

==========

==========

--> www.FedPrimeRate.com Privacy Policy <-- >  SITEMAP  <