美國聯準會大樓外觀。路透社資料照
美國聯邦準備理事會(Fed)決定利率政策的公開市場操作委員會(FOMC)7日結束會議,決議降息0.25個百分點。
決議聲明中強調就業狀況與通膨問題大致維持平衡,雖然未來的經濟局勢仍有不確定性,FOMC將視最新經濟數據適度調整貨幣政策。本次降息決議獲得包括聯準會主席鮑爾在內的決策理事一致同意。
以下是FOMC決議聲明全文:
最近的指標顯示經濟活動持續以穩健的步伐進行扎實的擴張。自年初以來,勞動市場環境普遍放緩,失業有所上升,但仍維持在低水準。通膨朝委員會(FOMC)的2%目標取得了一定進展,但仍略微偏高。
Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace. Since earlier in the year, labor market conditions have generally eased, and the unemployment rate has moved up but remains low. Inflation has made progress toward the Committee's 2 percent objective but remains somewhat elevated.
委員會尋求在長期狀況中實現最大就業和2%的通膨率。委員會認為,實現就業和通膨目標的風險大致平衡。經濟前景仍不確定,委員會仍密切關注對其雙重使命(就業與通膨)兩面的風險。
The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. The Committee judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are roughly in balance. The economic outlook is uncertain, and the Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate.
為支持其目標,委員會決定把聯邦資金利率的目標區間下調0.25個百分點至4.5%至4.75%。在考慮進一步調整聯邦資金利率目標區間時,委員會將仔細評估接下來公佈的經濟數據,經濟前景的變化,以及風險平衡。委員會將繼續減持美國國債、機構債務和機構抵押擔保證券。委員會強力支持最大就業並使通膨率回到2%的目標。
In support of its goals, the Committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/4 percentage point to 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 percent. In considering additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage‑backed securities. The Committee is strongly committed to supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2 percent objective.
在評估適當的貨幣政策時,委員會將繼續監控最新經濟前景資訊的影響。若出現可能阻礙委員會達成目標的風險,委員會準備好視情況調整貨幣政策以妥善應對。委員會的評估將考慮廣泛的資訊,包括勞動市場數據、通膨壓力和通膨預期,以及金融與國際情勢的發展。
In assessing the appropriate stance of monetary policy, the Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook. The Committee would be prepared to adjust the stance of monetary policy as appropriate if risks emerge that could impede the attainment of the Committee's goals. The Committee's assessments will take into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments.