QE Taper Remains on Track - Real Time Insight - Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:QQQ)

The Federal Reserve decided to cut its monthly asset-purchase program by another $10 billion to $45 billion ($25 billion of longer-term treasury securities and $20 billion of mortgage-backed securities).

The

statement

released at the end of the two-day meeting was a little more upbeat than the previous one, noting the pickup in economic activity, except in labor markets.

“

Information received (since the last meeting) indicates that growth in economic activity has picked up recently, after having slowed sharply during the winter in part because of adverse weather conditions. Labor market indicators were mixed but on balance showed further improvemen

t”.

“

The Committee currently judges that there is sufficient underlying strength in the broader economy to support ongoing improvement in labor market conditions

”.

The forward guidance remained unchanged: “

It likely will be appropriate to maintain the current target range for the federal funds rate for a considerable time after the asset purchase program ends, especially if projected inflation continues to run below the Committee's 2% longer-run goal, and provided that longer-term inflation expectations remain well anchored

”

All nine voting members of FOMC supported the monetary action.

The Fed did not release updated economic projections nor will Janet Yellen hold any press conference; those are done once in a quarter.

Though the move was largely expected by the markets, some analysts were wondering whether this morning's GDP report would impact Fed's taper plans.

Did the move surprise you?

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