Speech

The Economic Outlook – Optimism Despite the Challenges Ahead

Abstract: We enter 2021 with some optimism. The pandemic is likely to continue to be a problem for public health and the economy until widespread vaccinations take hold. Nonetheless, with substantial fiscal and monetary support, I expect a robust recovery starting in the second half of this year. I also expect that short-term interest rates near zero will be appropriate throughout this year, and that the Federal Reserve will continue to purchase long-term assets until the economy is on a stronger economic footing.

Keywords: economic outlook; recovery; COVID-19; public health; Main Street Lending Program;

Bibliographic Information

Provider: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Part of Series: Speech

Publication Date: 2021-01-12

Note: Virtual speech