Expects Weak Q1 GDP: Bernanke
- Lower than anticipated defense spending, weaker exports, weather constraining factors
- Sees growth of 2% or below; slowdown transitory
- Recovery moderate; believes it is sustainable
- Would like to see more job creation
- Timing of tightening unclear
- Extended period means “a couple of meetings”, at least
- Fed believes a strong stable dollar in US interests and interests of global economy
- Strong economy will help dollar; boosting economy will boost dollar
- dollar fluctuates; safe-haven flows drove dollar higher, falling as that is unwound
- Keeping inflation low. strengthening economy will help over medium-term
- Gasoline prices have risen quite significantly; creating financial hardship
- Gas adds to inflation but creates a drag on growth; blames global demand for higher prices
- All additional demand over last decade has come from emerging markets; supply disruptions helping raise prices; a very adverse development; accounts for most of hike in inflation outlook;fed can’t create more oil
- Fed can attempt to keep gas prices from being passed through to other prices
- Labor market improving gradually; pace quite slow; labor market obviously not in good shape
- Some inflation expectations have risen; medium-term expectations have not moved very much
- No substitute for action if expectations move markedly
- Will do what is necessary to keep inflation low and stable
- End of QE2 to have much impact on financial markets; anticipated by markets
- So long as Fed maintains portfolio, impact should remain constant
- Stop reinvesting maturing securities would be a policy tightening
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