Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard told the Financial Times in an interview he believes it is a "fantasy" to assume that a neutral stance from the central bank will bring inflation down to pre-pandemic levels.
He noted the downward pressure on inflation will be achieved only by elevating rates to a stage that would constrain the financial system and that the consumer price data, released yesterday, further proves the Fed should make a move on rates soon.
"I reckon a 50 bps move in May is all but certain at this stage. We'll just have to see if they have the appetite to stick with a more aggressive path in the following months," Bullard told the media outlet.