WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer says that incoming economic data and market developments will likely determine whether the Fed boosts interest rates in September.
Fischer says that before the recent turbulence in financial markets, there was a “pretty strong case” for starting to hike rates in September. But he adds that the Fed is watching how events unfold following the surprise announcement by the Chinese that they plan to devalue their currency.
Fischer says that central bank officials have not made a decision yet on whether to raise rates but would be closely following data such as next week’s jobs report and market moves before the Sept. 16-17 meeting.
Fischer said the plan was still to move rates up very slowly and gradually.
