¶ … Federal Open Market Committee discussed several important issues during their meeting of September 17th and 18th of this year. Naturally, the issue of the economy and specific items related to the national financial situation were of primary importance for all present.
One of the topics was the current economic situation and the federal debt, as well as any new developments which have been made toward the bettering of national circumstances. In the last few months, the committee has begun work to establish a "fixed-rate, full-allotment overnight reverse repurchase agreement (RRP) facility" (Minutes 2). Many benefits were attributed to the construction of such a facility including the ability to manage interest rates and support the idea of a floor to determine rates. During the September meeting, the research into this facility was further explored and it was ultimately determined that additional research must be done before going ahead with the project.
It can now be reported that the average unemployment rate in American has dropped to 7.3%, a huge improvement given the situation just a few years ago where nearly 10% of people were out of work. Other positive indications that the economy was heading in the right direction included an increase in manufacturing and production, home prices also increased, and businesses increased expenditures which indicates levels of expansion for these enterprises. Some factors with potentially negative connotations were also discussed, including decreased government spending (3). Inflation rates also increased in the United States, most notably in American food costs. Although financial stability is increasing, there are still real risks to consider which could undermine the progress.
Projections were made about…
