The Central Bank ushers in its sixth increase this year
In an effort to lower runaway inflation, the U.S. Federal Reserve hiked interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point.
This is the sixth increase this year — with the fed indicating that more raises are on the way.
The U.S. central bank’s move also boosted its key short-term rate to a range of 3.75% to 4%, marking its highest level in 15 years.
Acknowledging that the economic stress of their action over the past several months, Federal Reserve officials also urged patience, warning that interest rate hikes take time to work.
Fed chairman Jerome Powell said it would be “very premature” to think about having a pause in rate increases.
Additionally, Powell noted he does expect rates to peak at a more substantial level than policymakers had originally predicted back in September.
As inflations looms over the all-important midterm elections next week, Powell said that rates would “have to go higher and stay higher for a while.”
His new statement could make achieving his so called “soft landing” harder as its heightening the risk of a recession.
