Fed's Mester on Asset Purchases, Outlook for Inflation

The transcript discusses the economic progress made since the pandemic, focusing on inflation and labor market improvements. It addresses the potential tapering of asset purchases and the criteria for such actions, with an emphasis on not surprising the markets. The discussion includes the impact of the Delta variant on demand and the importance of vaccinations. The transcript also covers financial market conditions, inflation expectations, and the outlook for interest rates, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of economic indicators.

What are the speaker's thoughts on the potential for raising interest rates?

What factors does the speaker believe will influence inflation expectations?

What is the speaker's outlook on economic activity as vaccination rates increase?

What does the speaker identify as a risk to the economic recovery?