17 Mar 2022

聯儲局加息0.25厘 為逾3年來首次加息
The Federal Reserve raises interest rates by 0.25% for the first time in more than 3 years.

一如市場預期, 美國聯儲局本港周四(17日)凌晨宣布，將聯邦基金利率由0至0.25厘，提高至0.25厘至0.5厘，即加息0.25厘，為自2018年12月, 即逾3年以來首次啟動加息。
主席鮑威爾於記者會上表示, 加息及縮表的時機已到, 雖然經濟仍存在不確定因素, 聯儲局預測今年經濟增長由4%下調至2.8%, 但相信經濟及就業市場仍強勁, 可以承受加息壓力。
議息聲明指出，今次加息決定及幅度符合市場預期，並承認當地通脹高企，物價上漲的壓力愈見廣泛。該局最新預測2022年全年將合共加息7次，高於去年12月預測的3次。

As expected by the market, the US Federal Reserve announced in the early hours of Thursday (17th) that it would raise the federal funds rate from 0 to 0.25% to 0.25% to 0.5%, that is, to raise interest rates by 0.25%. The first rate hike in more than three years.
Chairman Powell said at a press conference that the time has come to raise interest rates and shrink the balance sheet. Although there are still uncertainties in the economy, the Federal Reserve has lowered its forecast for economic growth this year from 4% to 2.8%. Under pressure to raise interest rates.
The interest rate statement pointed out that the decision and magnitude of the rate hike this time were in line with market expectations, and acknowledged that local inflation was high and the pressure on price increases became more widespread. The bureau's latest forecast for a total of seven rate hikes in 2022 is higher than the three forecast in December last year.