Fed leaves stable rates of interest and remains optimistic about the U.S. economy – AméricaEconomía.com

The U.s. Federal Reserve left Wednesday without changes in interest rates, in their first meeting since taking over Government to president Donald Trump, but he drew a scenario with relatively positive for the economy which suggests that it remains on track to harden this year on its monetary policy.

The central bank american said that the job remains solid, inflation had accelerated and increased confidence in the economy, but gave no sign firmly on the time of the next rate hike.

“Measurements of consumer confidence and companies have improved recently,” said the Fed in its communiqué after a two-day meeting, where it kept its rate key interest in a range of 0.50% to 0.75%.

officials from the Fed highlighted the fact that the unemployment remained near its lows for recent years. The unemployment rate is currently 4.7%, at a level, or close to, what many economists consider full employment.

The Fed rose in December its interest rates for the second time in a decade and forecast the other three hikes in 2017. The Fed is still waiting for greater clarity about the possible impact of the economic policies of Trump.

The decision was announced two weeks after the chair of the Fed, Janet Yellen, stressed that the U.s. economy is near full employment and warned of a “nasty surprise” with the inflation if the Fed takes too long to adjust their rates.

The Fed said in its statement that it still expects inflation to accelerate to its 2% target in the medium term, but stressed that compensation measures of inflation based on the market remain low, and the results of opinion polls on expectations of long-term price have not had many changes.

on Monday, the Commerce Department reported a rise in inflation to 1.7%.

investors had dismissed the possibility of a rate increase this week due to the lack of clarity of fiscal policy and the business of Trump, and uncertainty about how it will affect the picture.

The pledges by Trump of a huge program of infrastructure spending, tax cuts, repeal of regulations and renegotiation of trade agreements could generate a strong acceleration of inflation, which could require a more intense rhythm of increase in interest rates.

The entrepreneur-turned-politician has offered few details of his economic plans or a timetable to implement it, while his announcements of new measures, considered by many as protectionist, along with laws to limit immigration, have caused concern in the markets.