Economics
Fed in Holding Pattern While Washington Battles Over Stimulus
- Shift to bond buying program a possibility, just not soon
- Next administrations’ stimulus plans not clear before spring
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U.S. central bankers are reluctant to fire the next bullet in their policy arsenal, despite uncertain progress in Washington on more fiscal stimulus that they say is vital to support the economic recovery.
Around 20 speeches and interviews with Fed officials last week, plus minutes of their meeting in mid-September, paint a picture of policy makers ready to consider doing more at some stage -- but in wait-and-see mode while Republicans and Democrats joust ahead of the Nov. 3 vote.