FOMC

The U.S. and the rest of the industrial world may have to resign themselves to an extended period of slow economic growth, subdued inflation and low interest rates. The trick will be in avoiding something even worse.

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke delivered what he called “a relatively upbeat” assessment of the U.S. central bank’s ability to fight the next recession.

While members of the Federal Open Market Committee believe monetary policy is in a good place, several factors have the power to change that.

The annual rotation among FOMC voters could influence monetary policy.

The economy should continue its moderate growth path, inflation may tick up, downside risks seem to have been put at bay by the Federal Reserve, and rates are likely to stay where they are, experts say.

The Federal Reserve should keep interest rates on hold next year, unless there’s a material change in the outlook for the U.S. economy, Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan said.

Recession fears, which persisted earlier this year, have subsided and Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Eric Rosengren does not expect a downturn unless a major shock occurs.

Inflation remains tame, and although the consumer price index has ticked up, producer prices surprised to the downside Thursday.

As expected the Federal Open Market Committee left rates at a range of 1.5% to 1.75%, with no officials dissenting, and the updated forecasts call for rates to remain there through 2020.

With Federal Reserve officials offering a united front on keeping interest rates steady, attention will focus on the Summary of Economic Projections and the repo market.