[뉴욕=뉴스핌] 민지현 특파원 = 미국 연방준비제도(Fed·연준)가 30일(현지시간) 이틀 간의 연방공개시장위원회(FOMC) 정례회의를 마치고 금융 시장의 예상대로 기준금리인 연방기금금리 목표 범위를 1.50~1.75%로 0.25%포인트 인하했다.

2008년 제로금리 정책 시행 이후 지난 7월 말 기준금리를 약 11년 만에 처음으로 인하한 데 이어 9월과 10월 연이어 금리를 내리면서 올해 세 번째 인하에 나섰다. 

이번 회의에서 에스터 조지캔자스시티 연방준비은행 총재와 에릭 로젠그렌 연은 총재는 금리 동결 소수 의견을 냈다.

다음은 이날 공개된 정책 성명서 전문이다.

Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in September indicates that the labor market remains strong and that economic activity has been rising at a moderate rate. Job gains have been solid, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Although household spending has been rising at a strong pace, business fixed investment and exports remain weak. On a 12-month basis, overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy are running below 2 percent. Market-based measures of inflation compensation remain low; survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed.

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. In light of the implications of global developments for the economic outlook as well as muted inflation pressures, the Committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate to 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 percent. This action supports the Committee's view that sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the Committee's symmetric 2 percent objective are the most likely outcomes, but uncertainties about this outlook remain. The Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook as it assesses the appropriate path of the target range for the federal funds rate.

In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its maximum employment objective and its symmetric 2 percent inflation objective. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments.

Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Michelle W. Bowman; Lael Brainard; James Bullard; Richard H. Clarida; Charles L. Evans; and Randal K. Quarles. Voting against this action were: Esther L. George and Eric S. Rosengren, who preferred at this meeting to maintain the target range at 1-3/4 percent to 2 percent.

Implementation Note issued October 30, 2019

jihyeonmin@newspim.com