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This summary of the most recent report of the Federal Reserve shows steady growth in regards to the strength of the economy, but slightly less aggressive than last year. It is noted that payroll employment has increased by 210,000 on average per month in comparison to 260,000 last year. The unemployment rate dropped by a quarter percent to 5.3 percent in June. It is estimated that labor market resources are not being fully utilized because part time employees looking for full time remains high even though slightly decreasing. Consumer price inflation remains below the FOMC’s goal of 2 percent. The price index of consumer spending increased a quarter percent since last May. This in part is affected by lowered gas prices. Long run inflation estimates have remained stable and real gross domestic product has been little changed since last year in this first quarter. It is expected that inflation will rise to the expected level in the near future. Longer-term interest rates have increased since last year and auto and student loan balances continue to grow higher. This seems similar to the increase in housing loans in the prior decade. Hopefully the amount of default loans will not arise from poor bundling packages. Borrowing by lower rated businesses has increases rapidly as well. It has maintained to implement a low rate for the Federal Funds rate varying from 0-.25 percent. It plans to raise the federal funds rate once employment figures are up to par and the inflation rate is back to the 2 percent estimate. The committee feels that it has the tools to also create a rise in short term interest

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