Free Trial

MNI INTERVIEW: Fed's Harker-2: Sees One Hike This Year

By Jean Yung
     PHILADELPHIA (MNI) - Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Pat
Harker told MNI he expects the Fed to nudge short-term borrowing rates another
quarter point higher this year and to do the same in 2020 if the U.S. economy
stays on track, but that tepid inflation and ambiguity over the global economic
outlook warrant a patient mindset.
     "The buzzword is patience," Harker said late Wednesday. "We'll see how
things in the next few quarters shake out."
     Harker is the latest senior Fed official to throw his support behind a
wait-and-see approach to further rate moves amid signs of slowing growth and
uncertainty over trade outcomes. Having raised their benchmark rate to a target
range of 2.25% to 2.5% last year with further hikes penciled in, policymakers
signaled a change in tone in January.
     Even before December's hike, Harker said he thought it appropriate to hold
off on further tightening "given the uncertainties." Business contacts in his
district say they are refraining from capital spending for now, he said, with
one banker reporting just this week that customers with approved loans are not
using them.
     "What I hear a lot from people is they don't know where things are going.
Rather than take risk now, they'll wait a bit to see how things play out," he
said.
     --CHUGGING ALONG
     The economy continues to "chug along" as the effects of fiscal stimulus
fade this year, Harker said. Barring unexpected shocks, he expects GDP growth to
decelerate to around 2% this year, close to its longer run level.
     The labor market remains a bright spot, with the economy creating far more
jobs than economists expected and also greatly exceeding levels needed to keep
pace with population growth.
     "It's good to be wrong when more people are getting jobs, and we shouldn't
try to disrupt that process," Harker said.
     But he wants to see inflation to continue to firm before raising rates
again.
     With evidence mounting of a global slowdown and the strength of the dollar,
inflation has lost a bit of momentum recently. "We'll have to see how that
transpires," he said, adding there is "no sign inflation is roaring anytime
soon" in a way that would necessitate more urgent action.
     --SLOW AND STEADY
     Another signal Harker is watching carefully is the yield curve, which has
flirted with an inversion in which short-term yields rise above longer-term
rates. History has shown inverted yield curves often preceded recessions.
     The curve is "quite flat," Harker said. "If we can avoid the risk of it
inverting, we should."
     Policy is likely still slightly accommodative, but "it's possible that we
are at neutral or have a little bit to go," as estimates of the neutral rate are
imprecise, Harker said.
     "My goal is not to overshoot," he said. "Slow and steady is my mantra."
     Harker will rotate into a voting position on the FOMC next year.
--MNI Washington Bureau; +1 202-371-2121; email: jean.yung@marketnews.com
[TOPICS: MMUFE$,M$U$$$,MT$$$$,MX$$$$]

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.