The Fed held rates steady at 4.25%–4.50% for a fifth straight meeting, as expected, but two governors dissented in favor of a cut the first such dual dissent since 1993. Policymakers observed that, while fluctuations in net exports continue to influence the data, recent indicators point to a moderation in economic activity in H1 contrasting with earlier assessments that growth was proceeding 'at a solid pace'. The Fed also said that the unemployment rate remains low while inflation remains somewhat elevated, and uncertainty about the economic outlook persists. The Fed reinforced that...
According to the FOMC Minutes, the two Federal Reserve policymakers who disagreed with the central bank's decision to keep interest rates the same last month were not joined by other policymakers in calling for lower rates at that meeting. Key Quotes Almost all participants at the Fed's July 29–30 meeting viewed it as appropriate to maintain the benchmark interest rate in the 4.25%–4.50% range. Participants noted it would take time to have more clarity on the magnitude and persistence of higher tariffs' effects on inflation. Participants assessed the impact of tariffs had become more...
In a post published on Truth Social on Wednesday (August 20th), US President Donald Trump urged Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to resign, linking to a Bloomberg article titled "Trump Allies Urge Bondi to Investigate Fed's Cook Over Mortgages." "The Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHA) is urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over two mortgages. This is the latest in a series of steps by the Trump administration to increase legal scrutiny of Democratic figures and officials." (alg) Source: FXstreet
The US Federal Reserve's decision last month to keep interest rates unchanged sparked a dissenting opinion from two leading central bankers who wanted to lower rates to prevent further labor market weakness. The outcome of the two-day meeting on Wednesday could indicate whether their concerns are being shared by other policymakers, potentially reinforcing expectations that borrowing cost reductions could begin next month. Even less than 48 hours after the conclusion of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on July 29-30, data from the Labor Department appeared to confirm the...
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is set to speak at the annual central bank symposium this week amid growing bets that a rate cut is nearly guaranteed next month. But Powell may defy expectations, refusing to cave as the final battle against inflation looms large, Scotiabank (TSX:BNS) Economics warned in a recent note. "The Fed has not won the last inflation battle given recent PPI and CPI readings and the requirement to have much more data given factors like residual seasonality and sampling deficiencies," Scotiabank said. The annual Jackson Hole gathering kicks off with informal...
According to a statement by the Federal Reserve (Fed), Fed Chair Jerome Powell met with United States (US) President Donald Trump on Thursday, where the head of the Fed reiterated that the Fed's...
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained its cash rate at 4.1% during its April meeting, holding borrowing costs unchanged after slashing 25 bps in the February meeting, aligning with market...