D) hesitant; because it may cause a slowdown in the economy
Explanation:
The FED usually increases interest rates to halt rapidly increasing inflation, and it could be useful to calm down potential asset bubbles. The problem with raising interest rates is that it immediately cools down the economy and slow down economic growth. It might even stop economic growth and cause a recession.
Since higher interest rates increase the cost of borrowing for everyone in the economy (individuals, businesses), consumption decreases and investment increases. The problem with this is that private consumption represents nearly 70% of the GDP and the money multiplier is responsible for a lot of this.
