One of the main questions after Jerome Powell’s appointment to Chair of the Federal Reserve is whether he will continue Janet Yellen’s paced approach or take a more aggressive path, according to Knowledge@Wharton.

Peter Conti-Brown, a Wharton professor of legal studies and business ethics, and Lisa D. Cook, a Michigan State professor of economics and international relations, discussed issues that could influence the future of the economy.

One of the best indicators of Powell’s intent will be in the number of interest rate increases this year. While it has been indicated that interest rates could increase by a quarter of a point three times this year, Powell may decide the ongoing strength of the economy warrants more.

“Four rate increases could be a possibility, and certainly that’s being discussed,” said Cook.

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Whether the current stability will continue is also an issue for the Fed.

“Periods of such peace, low unemployment, and especially growth of bank balance sheets and bank profitability always have me keyed into thinking about the crash that could follow,” said Conti-Brown.

But he said that he wasn’t making a prediction and was instead pointing out the cyclical nature of economies.

Read more about the future of the U.S. economy from Knowledge@Wharton here.

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