미국 연방준비제도이사회(FRB)가 기준금리를 또 다시 동결했다.
FRB는 7일(현지시간) 연방공개시장위원회(FOMC)를 개최하고 기준금리인 연방기금 목표금리를 5.25%로 그대로 유지키로 결정했다.
이로써 FRB는 지난 2004년 6월 이후 총 17차례에 걸쳐 기준금리를 0.25%p씩 인상했으며, 지난해 8월 이후에는 9번 연속 기준금리를 동결했다.
다음은 FOMC가 이날 밝힌 성명서
The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to keep its target for the federal funds rate at 5-1/4 percent.
Economic growth was moderate during the first half of the year. Financial markets have been volatile in recent weeks, credit conditions have become tighter for some households and businesses, and the housing correction is ongoing. Nevertheless, the economy seems likely to continue to expand at a moderate pace over coming quarters, supported by solid growth in employment and incomes and a robust global economy.
Readings on core inflation have improved modestly in recent months. However, a sustained moderation in inflation pressures has yet to be convincingly demonstrated. Moreover, the high level of resource utilization has the potential to sustain those pressures.
Although the downside risks to growth have increased somewhat, the Committee's predominant policy concern remains the risk that inflation will fail to moderate as expected. Future policy adjustments will depend on the outlook for both inflation and economic growth, as implied by incoming information.
Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Thomas M. Hoenig; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Frederic S. Mishkin; Michael H. Moskow; William Poole; Eric Rosengren; and Kevin M. Warsh.
