Rates were kept anchored near zero by the Federal Reserve, and it also maintained the current pace of asset purchases. Expectations for GDP growth and inflation were also upgraded by officials, and estimates for the unemployment rate were also cut. An increasing number of members have predicted rate hikes in coming years, but not enough to change the forecast for none through at least 2023.
Zero interest rates? Printing money? Wow, maybe it will work this time. 500th time’s a charm