There was more improvement in labor markets in 2014 than in any other year of the recovery. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart More Quotes by Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart More Quotes From Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart Two rate hikes are certainly possible. We have enough (Fed policy) meetings remaining but it depends entirely on how the economy evolves. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart business It is the repercussions for the U.S. economy that would concern me...it's really a question of indications in financial markets of a reaction to rising uncertainty and the degree of volatility we are seeing again in financial markets. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart business Short of some big shock that turns consumer psychology on its head, I see no reason why consumer spending growth should not continue. I think the conditions supporting this engine of economic momentum are likely to hold steady. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart business My staff and I are getting close to a last review of the overall picture suggested by the data. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart business Absent information that drastically changes the economic picture and outlook, I feel the case for liftoff is compelling. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart business I am now reasonably satisfied the situation has settled down... So I am comfortable with moving off zero soon, conditioned on no marked deterioration in economic conditions, i believe it will soon be appropriate to begin a new policy phase. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart business I expect the normalization of monetary policy — that is, interest rates — to begin sometime this year, i expect normalization to proceed gradually, the implication being an environment of rather low rates for quite some time. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart business Currently, developments such as the appreciation of the dollar, the devaluation of the Chinese currency, and the further decline of oil prices are complicating factors in predicting the pace of growth. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart business Compared to earlier in the year, we know a lot more and can shelve some concerns, we are getting closer and closer to what feels like a healed state. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart top-news Policy will likely transition from being aggressively stimulative toward merely stimulative. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart top-news I think the point of 'liftoff' is close, the economy has made great gains and is approaching an acceptable normal ... conditions are no longer extraordinary. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart top-news I am quite open to the idea that the destination we are trying to get to is lower than we have cited in the past. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart top-news The first action to raise interest rates will in all likelihood be justified by the middle of the year. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart business
