Fed's Lockhart sees up to two rate hikes this year

Lockhart said there are three more policy-making meetings this year, so two rate hikes are possible

The Federal Reserve could hike US interest rates at least once and possibly twice before year-end, even in a gradual and cautious approach to policy, Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart said on Friday.

"I can see two rate hikes as possible when I look at the calendar. We have three more (policy-making) meetings this year, so that's possible," he said on Bloomberg TV from Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

"I can imagine circumstances if we continue to see the economy perform as it has been, in my opinion, [for] at least one this year," he added. "None of that is locked in. We just have to see how the economy seems to be performing."