US: Monthly Treasury Statement

The U.S. government posted a lower $173 billion deficit in November as tariffs on imports helped to boost revenues, the Treasury Department said on Wednesday. The deficit last month was down $193 billion, or 53%, from the $367 billion deficit reported in November 2024. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the budget deficit at $205 billion. The ...

Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a moderate pace. Job gains have slowed this year, and the unemployment rate has edged up through September. More recent indicators are consistent with these developments. Inflation has moved up since earlier in the year and remains somewhat elevated. The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. Uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated. The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate and judges that downside risks to employment rose in recent months. In support of its goals and in light of the shift in the balance of risks, the Committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/4 percentage point to 3-1/2 to 3‑3/4 percent. In considering the extent and timing of additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The Committee is strongly committed to supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2 percent objective. In assessing the appropriate stance of monetary policy, the Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook. The Committee would be prepared to adjust the stance of monetary policy as appropriate if risks emerge that could impede the attainment of the Committee's goals. The Committee's assessments will take into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments. FOMC STATEMENT COMPARE: pic.twitter.com/mc1yqrnwIP *FED SAYS SCHMID, GOOLSBEE DISSENT IN FAVOR OF NO RATE CHANGE FOMC: POLICY STATEMENT NO LONGER SAYS UNEMP RATE HISTORICALLY LOW BUT THAT 'JOB GAINS HAVE SLOWED THIS YEAR;' UNEMP RATE 'HAS EDGED UP THRU SEPT' #FOMC #FederalReserve #economy

*POWELL: TREASURY PURCHASES MAY REMAIN ELEVATED FOR FEW MONTHS Fed's Powell: Reserve management purchases may remain elevated for a few months to alleviate money market pressures. Thereafter, we expect purchases to decline. Fed's Powell: Standing repo operations are a critical tool to ensure the fed funds rate remains in the target range. Fed's Powell: Fed removed aggregate limit on standing repo operations.