text: [{"text_idx": "#000003", "text": "US interest rates in \u2018good place\u2019 for now, say Fed officials"}, {"text_idx": "#000004", "text": "Traders currently put the chances of the US central bank holding rates steady in September at more than 90%. (AP pic)"}, {"text_idx": "#000005", "text": "WASHINGTON: High US interest rates are doing their job in the fight against inflation, but more hikes may yet be needed, senior US Federal Reserve officials said Thursday."}, {"text_idx": "#000006", "text": "The comments from three regional Fed presidents with a vote on setting interest rates will likely solidify expectations that the US central bank intends to hold rates steady later this month amid growing signs of weaker labour market conditions."}, {"text_idx": "#000007", "text": "The Fed has raised its benchmark lending rate 11 times over the past 18 months to a level not seen for 22 years as it grapples with inflation still stubbornly above its long-run target of two percent."}, {"text_idx": "#000008", "text": "After rapidly raising interest rates last year, the Fed slowed down the pace of its hikes over the summer, holding rates steady in June and then raising them by just 25 basis points in July."}, {"text_idx": "#000009", "text": "Traders currently put the chances of a September pause at more than 90%, according to data from CME Group."}, {"text_idx": "#000010", "text": "\u201cAnother skip could be appropriate when we meet later this month,\u201d Dallas Fed president Lorie Logan told a conference in Dallas on Thursday, according to prepared remarks."}, {"text_idx": "#000011", "text": "\u201cBut skipping does not imply stopping,\u201d she continued, adding that \u201cfurther evaluation of the data and outlook could confirm that we need to do more to extinguish inflation\u201d."}, {"text_idx": "#000012", "text": "The Fed should keep the \u201cwater bucket\u201d of future interest rate hikes close at hand in case inflation returns, and \u201cmust not hesitate to use it as necessary\u201d, she said."}, {"text_idx": "#000013", "text": "Logan\u2019s support for a possible September pause echoes comments from Fed governor Christopher Waller earlier this week in which he suggested that data showing a weakening jobs market meant the Fed should \u201cproceed carefully\u201d."}, {"text_idx": "#000014", "text": "\u201cThere\u2019s nothing that is saying we need to do anything imminent anytime soon, so we can just sit there, wait for the data, see if things continue,\u201d he told CNBC on Tuesday."}, {"text_idx": "#000016", "text": "\u201cI think we\u2019ve gotten monetary policy in a very good place in terms of we have a restrictive stance of policy,\u201d he said."}, {"text_idx": "#000017", "text": "The Fed\u2019s interest rate hikes are having \u201cthe desired effects of bringing demand and supply more into balance\u201d, he continued, adding that inflation was \u201cmoving in the right direction.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000018", "text": "But Williams did not explicitly say if he favoured raising or holding interest rates, and urged the Fed to \u201ckeep watching the data carefully, analysing all of that and really asking ourselves the question, is this sufficiently restrictive?\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000020", "text": "\u201cI believe there is a golden path opportunity that is unusual, in recent modern Fed history, to be able to get inflation down without having a recession,\u201d he said."}, {"text_idx": "#000021", "text": "Analysts have raised the chances of the Fed successfully cutting inflation while avoiding recession, which is also known as a \u201csoft landing\u201d."}, {"text_idx": "#000022", "text": "\u201cIf you look at expectations in the marketplace, there\u2019s a growing confidence that we can pull it off,\u201d Goolsbee said, adding that it hinged on the Fed \u201cremaining attentive to the data\u201d."}, {"text_idx": "#000023", "text": "Earlier this week, the Fed said robust tourism spending was helping to keep the wheels of the world\u2019s largest economy turning."}, {"text_idx": "#000024", "text": "But it warned that consumers were dipping into dwindling pandemic-era savings \u2014 and even taking on more debt \u2014 to make ends meet."}, {"text_idx": "#000025", "text": "As is customary, Fed officials will cease making public statements on interest rate policy after this weekend, ahead of the next rate decision on September 19-20."}, {"text_idx": "#000026", "text": "After that meeting, the Fed will publish updated economic predictions, which will reveal how high policymakers think interest rates will need to go, and for how long they will have to stay there, to bring down inflation."}, {"text_idx": "#000029", "text": "PAS Terengganu promises interest free bike loans"}, {"text_idx": "#000031", "text": "Hot spell may heat up interest rate, says analyst"}, {"text_idx": "#000032", "text": "Lens defeat Marseille to move to second place"}, {"text_idx": "#000033", "text": "Gentari ends promotional per kWh charging rates \u2013 EV charging at hubs to now cost up to RM1.70/kWh"}, {"text_idx": "#000034", "text": "Mexico opens criminal probe into top officials after deadly blaze"}]