Federal Reserve Watch for July 9: Williams Still Sees Slowdown in Energy Prices This Year

New York Fed President John Williams (voter) said that he expects energy prices to slow this year even as tensions in the Middle East have picked up but would not comment on how the FOMC could act at its next meeting at the end of the month. Recent comments of note: (July 8) Minutes of the June 16-17 FOMC minutes showed considerable divisions among the participants regarding the path of monetary policy, most hinging on evolution of inflation. Many participants expected the recent elevated inflation is due to temporary factors that will dissipate and could allow the FOMC to maintain or even lower the target range, which others suggested that inflation will remain elevated and require rate increases. (July 6) Fed Governor Christopher Waller (voter) said that forward guidance is useful in some cases, including as tool in place of actual rate actions, but requires flexibility when conditions evolve differently from was expected. (July 1) Fed Chair Kevin Warsh (voter) repeated that the FOMC will work to maintain price stability and said that prices are too high but again avoided giving any forward guidance. (June 26) Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari (voter) said that he.