‘Most’ on Fed Ready to Hike Rates in June if Economic Data Strong, Minutes Show

Debate about centered on availability of data

by Greg Robb
Market Watch

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Most of the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate setting committee are ready to lift interest rates in June if the economy shows life, minutes released Wednesday show.

The minutes of the April 26-27 Federal Open Market Committee meeting appear to echo concerns articulated in recent speeches from Federal Reserve officials, namely that the market is too complacent over the interest-rate-hike desires at the central bank.

“Most participants judged that if incoming data were consistent with economic growth picking up in the second quarter, labor market conditions continuing to strengthen, and inflation making progress toward the Committee’s 2% objective, then it likely would be appropriate for the Committee to increase the target range for the federal funds rate in June,” the minutes read.

Continue Reading at MarketWatch.com…