Fed Signals a Change of Course
· The FOMC kept its current pace of asset purchases the same but signaled that it may begin tapering the pace of asset purchases later this year.
· Consumer prices rose slightly in May after pulling back over the past two months. Core inflation edged slightly higher, rising 0.2 percent for the month.
· Housing starts rose 6.8 percent in May while building permits pulled back slightly after a strong rise in April. The continued recovery in the housing market remains intact but the pace of improvement will likely continue to be moderate.