Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic said Wednesday he anticipates hiking interest rates three or four times this year, but he stressed that the central bank isn’t locked into a specific plan.
Speaking on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” the policymaker signaled a view that is less aggressive than the market’s on rates.
“In terms of hikes for the interest rates, right now I have three forecast for this year,” he said. “I’m leaning a little towards four, but we’re going to have to see how the economy responds as we take our first steps through the first part of this year.”
Market pricing current is anticipating at least five and possibly six hikes of 0.25 percentage points each. Bank of America recently forecast seven hikes as the central bank fights inflation running at its highest level in nearly 40 years.
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