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Fed should raise interest rates this year, Williams says

The Federal Reserve should raise interest rates further this year, a top U.S. central banker said in an interview published on Thursday, reflecting improved labor market conditions and the likelihood that inflation is heading higher. “As the economy gets closer to its goals, we can again pull our foot off the…

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Fed should raise interest rates this year, Williams says

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U.S. labor market firming; inflation remains benign

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to sustained labor market strength in early August that could help spur faster economic growth. Other data on Thursday showed an unexpected rise in import prices in July as a drop in petroleum prices was offset by gains in the cost of other goods. “The data remain consistent with a still-strong trend in employment growth, which means …

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U.S. labor market firming; inflation remains benign