미국 연준 FOMC의 정책성명서를 한마디로 요약하자면 현재로서는 기준 금리를 동결하지만 이르면 3월에 금리 인상을 할 수 있다는 것이다. 미국 연준은 이날 이틀간의 연방공개시장위원회(FOMC) 정례회의를 마친 뒤 낸 정책성명에서 미 연방 금리를 현 수준으로 유지하된 고용상황 개선과 지속적인 인플레이션을 감안해 조만간 금리를 인상하겠다는 방침을 밝혔다.
연준은 또 현재 월 300억 달러씩 진행 하고 있는 테이퍼링 즉 자산매입 축소도 기존 방침을 그대로 유지키로 했다. 연준은 지난달 FOMC에서 지난 11∼12월에 각각 150억 달러씩 축소해왔던 자산매입 규모를 이 달부터 2배인 300억 달러로 늘리고 있다. 연준의 이같은 방침에 따라 2020년 신종 코로나바이러스 감염증(코로나19) 대유행 이후 경기 부양을 위해 매달 1천200억 달러씩 사들여 온 채권 매입 프로그램은 기존 예상대로 올 3월에 마무리될 것으로 보인다. 테이퍼링이 끝나면 금리인상이 이어 단행될 으로 보인다.
제롬파월 연준 의장은 FOMC 성명서 발표에 이어 기준금리 동결과 곧 인상에 대한 기자회견을 하고 있다.
다음은 연준 FOMC 정챋 성명서
January 26, 2022
Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement
Indicators of economic activity and employment have continued to strengthen. The sectors most adversely affected by the pandemic have improved in recent months but are being affected by the recent sharp rise in COVID-19 cases. Job gains have been solid in recent months, and the unemployment rate has declined substantially. Supply and demand imbalances related to the pandemic and the reopening of the economy have continued to contribute to elevated levels of inflation. Overall financial conditions remain accommodative, in part reflecting policy measures to support the economy and the flow of credit to U.S. households and businesses.
The path of the economy continues to depend on the course of the virus. Progress on vaccinations and an easing of supply constraints are expected to support continued gains in economic activity and employment as well as a reduction in inflation. Risks to the economic outlook remain, including from new variants of the virus.
The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. In support of these goals, the Committee decided to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent. With inflation well above 2 percent and a strong labor market, the Committee expects it will soon be appropriate to raise the target range for the federal funds rate. The Committee decided to continue to reduce the monthly pace of its net asset purchases, bringing them to an end in early March. Beginning in February, the Committee will increase its holdings of Treasury securities by at least $20 billion per month and of agency mortgage‑backed securities by at least $10 billion per month. The Federal Reserve's ongoing purchases and holdings of securities will continue to foster smooth market functioning and accommodative financial conditions, thereby supporting the flow of credit to households and businesses.
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 public health, labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments.
Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Michelle W. Bowman; Lael Brainard; James Bullard; Esther L. George; Patrick Harker; Loretta J. Mester; and Christopher J. Waller. Patrick Harker voted as an alternate member at this meeting.
Implementation Note issued January 26, 2022
Last Update: January 26, 2022
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