Evans: One or two rate increases are absolutely reasonable

The US economy is performing "very well", with its continuing growth creating preconditions for one or two interest rates rises this year, according to Fed Chicago chief Charles Evans.
In an interview, Evans scattered fears of weaker inflation, which led analysts to forecast only one, or even none, raises in interest rates by the end of this year.
We may see one or two raises, Evans said. In December, Evans publicly opposed the rise in interest rates on the part of the Fed. Since then, we have seen two interest rates rises - one in April and one in June.
Evans, however, said the US economy was extremely strong, and its performance made him confident that inflation would hold or even cross the target of 2% while the unemployment rate would remain at its low levels. The growth of the world's largest economy is expected to range between 2.5% and 3% this and next year.