Tag: #Fed

The U.S. central bank on Wednesday kicked off an anticipated series of interest rate cuts with a larger-than-usual half-percentage-point reduction that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said was meant to show policymakers’ commitment to sustaining a low unemployment rate now that inflation has eased.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell laid the groundwork Friday for interest rate cuts ahead, though he declined to provide exact indications on timing or extent.

The Fed has held its benchmark overnight borrowing rate in a range between 5.25%-5.5% since July 2023 as it tackles a lingering inflation problem. Markets briefly rebelled after the July Fed meeting when officials signaled they still had not seen enough evidence to start bringing down rates.

“Several” top Federal Reserve officials were ready to cut interest rates in July and most believed a reduction next month is justified in light of slowing inflation and a weakening jobs market, new documents show.

US Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell said the central bank had made “considerable progress” in its mission to beat back inflation but sought “more good data” before cutting interest rates from their 23-year high.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said that while inflation has cooled recently toward the Fed’s 2% target, policymakers are still some distance from their goal.

Federal Reserve officials at their June meeting indicated that inflation is moving in the right direction but not quickly enough for them to lower interest rates.

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the biggest banks operating in the U.S. would be able to withstand a severe recession scenario while maintaining their ability to lend to consumers and corporations.

Ratings agency Fitch no longer expects China to cut its policy rate this year, and has pushed back its expectations for a reduction to next year as the U.S. Federal Reserve keeps its interest rates high.

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari on Sunday said it’s a “reasonable prediction” that the U.S. central bank will cut interest rates once this year, waiting until December to do it.

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday it is keeping its benchmark lending rate at its current level for the seventh time in a row, while signaling fewer rate cuts than previously estimated.

The Federal Reserve should wait for significant progress on inflation before cutting interest rates, Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari told CNBC on Tuesday.

The U.S. economy is slowing down, albeit at a glacial pace, and this should help inflation continue to gradually cool, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said Monday.

Federal Reserve officials at their March meeting expressed concern that inflation wasn’t moving lower quickly enough, though they still expected to cut interest rates at some point this year.

 Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Neel Kashkari said on Thursday that at the U.S. central bank’s meeting last month he penciled in two interest rate cuts this year but if inflation continues to stall, none may be required by year end.

Following its two-day policy meeting, the central bank’s rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee said it will keep its benchmark overnight borrowing rate in a range between 5.25%-5.5%.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said inflation is “not far” from where it needs to be for the central bank to start cutting interest rates.

In prepared remarks for appearances on Capitol Hill, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said policymakers remain attentive to the risks that inflation poses and don’t want to ease up too quickly.

Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting may shed light on policymakers’ thinking about cuts to interest rates, not to mention the economy and the central bank’s balance sheet.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is asking the American public for patience while the central bank figures out the best time to start cutting interest rates. He does, though, expect at least one drop this year.