Como se combate o populismo? "Com eleições", responde Fukuyama

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2:17pm 02/02/05 FOMC SAYS ECONOMY GROWING AT MODERATE PACE
2:17pm 02/02/05 FOMC SAYS INFLATION REMAINS 'WELL CONTAINED'
2:17pm 02/02/05 FOMC SEES BALANCED RISK FROM GROWTH AND INFLATION
2:17pm 02/02/05 FOMC RATES CAN STILL BE RAISED AT 'MEASURED' PACE
2:17pm 02/02/05 FOMC SAYS RATES STILL ACCOMMODATIVE
2:17pm 02/02/05 FOMC MAKES NO MAJOR CHANGES TO STATEMENT
2:17pm 02/02/05 FOMC HIKES RATES BY QUARTER POINT TO 2.50%

Market Update 2:15PM:

As expected FOMC raises the fed funds rate by 25 basis points and maintains balanced risk assessment, with declaration that it believes policy accommodation can be removed at a pace that is likely to be measured...
NYSE Adv/Dec 1824/1438, Nasdaq Adv/Dec 1500/1516


Text of FOMC statement
By MarketWatch
Last Update: 2:18 PM ET Feb. 2, 2005

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Here is the text of the statement released by the Federal Open Market Committee on Wednesday after it raised short-term rates by a quarter percentage point to 2.50 percent.

The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 2-1/2 percent.

The Committee believes that, even after this action, the stance of monetary policy remains accommodative and, coupled with robust underlying growth in productivity, is providing ongoing support to economic activity. Output appears to be growing at a moderate pace despite the rise in energy prices, and labor market conditions continue to improve gradually. Inflation and longer-term inflation expectations remain well contained.

The Committee perceives the upside and downside risks to the attainment of both sustainable growth and price stability for the next few quarters to be roughly equal. With underlying inflation expected to be relatively low, the Committee believes that policy accommodation can be removed at a pace that is likely to be measured. Nonetheless, the Committee will respond to changes in economic prospects as needed to fulfill its obligation to maintain price stability.

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Alan Greenspan, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Ben S. Bernanke; Susan S. Bies; Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.; Edward M. Gramlich; Jack Guynn; Donald L. Kohn; Michael H. Moskow; Mark W. Olson; Anthony M. Santomero; and Gary H. Stern.

In a related action, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a 25-basis-point increase in the discount rate to 3-1/2 percent. In taking this action, the Board approved the requests submitted by the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas, and San Francisco.

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BULLET: [FOMC: Hikes FF target 25 BP to 2.5%,] keeps almost..
[FOMC: Hikes FF target 25 BP to 2.5%,] keeps statement almost unchanged,
vote a unanimous 12-0. Statement says policy remains accommodative,
risks for growth/prices are "roughly equal," and keeps "measured."
Inflation remains "well contained" (removed reference to high energy
prices) but Fed will respond to changes in econ prospects as needed.
Labor mkt conditions continue to improve gradually.
-
DR also is increased 25 BPs to 3.5%. Full minutes are due Feb 23.

Provided by: Market News International

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Dados EUA: Decisão sobre Taxas Juro (Fed): 2.50 % (esp. 2.50%).

LJ Carregosa SA