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REPEAT:MNI Fed's Bostic:Above-2% Infl Consistent With Pol Path

Repeats Story Initially Transmitted at 16:50 GMT May 9/12:50 EST May 9
--Trade Worries Enough to Sideline Business Investment
By Jean Yung
     WASHINGTON (MNI) - Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic
on Wednesday was the latest official to drive home the message that the Fed see
itself on track to achieving its dual mandate and moving policy back to neutral.
     He said in a speech that measured inflation is "already effectively on
target" and that he wouldn't be "surprised to see a modest overshoot of our
longer-run target." 
     "In my judgment, such an outcome is not a problem that would, in and of
itself, necessitate a more aggressive policy response," he said in remarks
prepared for the World Affairs Council Global Business Luncheon in Jacksonville,
Fla. 
     "Rather, it is a feature of a well-calibrated approach that moves monetary
policy to a neutral stance that will support both strong labor market conditions
and our longer-run symmetric inflation goal." 
     Bostic votes on the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee this year. 
     The economy is close to full employment but "not yet significantly beyond
that point," he said. The labor market, while tight, is not overheated. Overall
wage growth remains "tepid" but is increasing. It is possible that the natural
rate of unemployment has fallen, he said. 
     --TRADE BIGGEST RISK
     Bostic flagged uncertainties over trade policy as "perhaps the most obvious
risk facing the economy at the moment," potentially capping the stimulus to
business investment spending as a result of tax cuts. 
     "Swelling optimism over tax policy in the beginning of the year has now
been replaced almost completely by uncertainty regarding the proposed tariffs
and the possibility of a trade war," he said, citing conversations with
businesses in his Fed district. 
     "I have gathered little indication that firms are pulling back on
investment projects that are already in progress. But investment projects slated
for the pipeline have been pushed out," he said. 
--MNI Washington Bureau; +1 202-371-2121; email: jean.yung@marketnews.com
MNI Washington Bureau | +1 202-371-2121 | jean.yung@marketnews.com
MNI Washington Bureau | +1 202-371-2121 | jean.yung@marketnews.com

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