Most U.S. business economists expect the Federal Reserve to raise benchmark interest rates within six months by between a quarter and a half percentage point, according to a survey released on Monday.
A majority of economists in the National Association of Business Economists’ semiannual survey found the Fed’s current stance of rates near zero percent is appropriate. A growing number, however, believe the U.S. central bank’s policy’s are too stimulative, according to a poll of 203 members taken Feb. 4-22.
“A majority believes that a rise in interest rates is both likely and appropriate in the next several months,” said NABE President Lynn Reaser.
