Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Richard Clarida on Wednesday said it was not time yet to begin conversations about possibly scaling back the central bank’s asset purchases. The Fed is buying $120 billion per month of Treasurys and mortgage-related securities as well as keeping interest rates close to zero in order to stimulate the economy. The Fed has said it wants to see “substantial further progress” on its goals of full employment and stable inflation before tapering. Asked when the Fed should start “talking about talking about” tapering, Clarida replied: “We don’t think so right now.” Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan said earlier this week it was time to start the discussion about tapering. Several Fed officials speaking on Wednesday have all disagreed with Kaplan. “We’ll get more data -and as we move through the year- we will be able to make a judgement on ‘substantial further progress,’ but we’re not there yet,” Clarida said.
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