Bullard: Time to consider cutting back stimulusPosted by RJ and Makay on Mar 28, 2011 |
It may not be necessary to complete the second round of quantitative easing (QE2), the Federal Reserve's $600 billion bond-buying program aimed at stimulating the U.S. economy, suggests St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President James Bullard. “The economy is looking pretty good,” he explains. "It's still reasonable to review QE2 at coming meetings, especially this April, and see if we want to finish the program or stop a little bit short."
However, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has given no indication the central bank will deviate from its plan to buy bonds through June to spur economic growth and reduce unemployment. In two days of congressional testimony earlier this month, Bernanke said that while growth will accelerate in 2011, he still wants to see a sustained period of stronger job creation before curtailing economic stimulus.
St. Louis Federal Reserve









