The August slowdown in job growth won’t throw off the Federal Reserve’s plans to reduce its asset purchases this year, four Federal Reserve officials said on Wednesday, though some cautioned a final decision requires more data. In comments published overnight in the Wall Street Journal, Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic, a voting member on policy this year who had been nearing a decision to “taper” the $120 billion in monthly bond purchases, now says it is unlikely the Fed will announce a plan at its Sept. 21–22 meeting. After employers added a disappointing 235,000 jobs in August, “I wouldn’t lean in too heavily to expecting anything on taper at the next meeting,” Bostic said. However, “I still think that sometime this year is going to be appropriate.” His comments echoed those of other Fed officials who signaled the U.S. central bank remains on track to trim its $120 billion in …
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