The Fed wants to raise rates this year. One thing could stand in the way
May 24, 2017 | by Jeff Cox | CNBC
As the Fed sets forth a fairly aggressive path toward higher interest rates, one key element could scuttle those plans.
Substantially lower-than-expected inflation would be a significant hurdle for the central bank in its quest to normalize a benchmark rate kept near zero through much of the post-financial crisis economy. The Fed has hiked the rate three times since December 2015 and economists and Wall Street strategists widely expect at least two more moves before the end of 2017.
However, the inflation numbers of late have not been cooperating.
