“There is almost no economic indicator that has come in badly in the last three months.”
Asked whether Fed officials were engaged in a coordinated campaign to prepare markets for a rate increase
later this month, Mr. Fischer replied, “If there has been a conscious effort, I’m about to join it.”
Ms. Yellen said she expected the Fed to raise rates by the end of the year to a level
that would effectively end the central bank’s stimulus campaign — something she said was likely to require three increases, each of 0.25 percentage points.
Janet Yellen Says Fed Is Likely to Raise Interest Rates This Month -
By BINYAMIN APPELBAUMMARCH 3, 2017
Janet L. Yellen, the chairwoman of the Federal Reserve, said
that the Fed plans to raise its benchmark interest rates this month if conditions are favorable.
“At our meeting later this month, the committee will evaluate whether employment
and inflation are continuing to evolve in line with our expectations, in which case a further adjustment of the federal funds rate would likely be appropriate,” Ms. Yellen said, referring to the Fed’s policy-making arm, the Federal Open Market Committee.
Janet L. Yellen, the Federal Reserve chairwoman, said Friday
that the Fed was likely to raise its benchmark interest rate this month, barring any unpleasant economic surprises.