NEW YORK, Sept 20 (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve left
interest rates steady at 5.25 percent on Wednesday.
The accompanying policy statement acknowledged inflation
risks but reiterated the expectation that price growth should
moderate as economic growth eases.
The following is a summary of recent comments by Federal
Reserve policy-makers, including the Sept. 20 meeting policy
statement:
* Denotes voting member of the FOMC in 2006.
* FEDERAL OPEN MARKET COMMITTEE, SEPT 20, 2006
"The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to keep
its target for the federal funds rate at 5-1/4 percent. The
moderation in economic growth appears to be continuing,
partly reflecting a cooling of the housing market.
Readings on core inflation have been elevated, and the
high levels of resource utilization and of the prices of energy
and other commodities have the potential to sustain inflation
pressures. However, inflation pressures seem likely to moderate
over time, reflecting reduced impetus from energy prices,
contained inflation expectations, and the cumulative effects of
monetary policy actions and other factors restraining aggregate
demand.
Nonetheless, the Committee judges that some inflation risks
remain. The extent and timing of any additional firming that
may be needed to address these risks will depend on the
evolution of the outlook for both inflation and economic
growth, as implied by incoming information.