FOMC Cuts Fed Funds Rate 25 Basis Points; Further Rate Cuts Projected

– Powell: Increased Downside Labor Risks Motivated FOMC to ‘Move Toward Neutral’ – SEP Projects 3.6% Funds Rate End ‘25; 3.4% End ‘26; 3.1% End ‘27 By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – After holding its interest rate settings steady for nine months, despite growing pressure from President Trump, the Federal Reserve finally lowered them Wednesday, […]

Japan Weekahead: Ruling, Opposition Parties Gear Up for October Snap Elections Widely Expected after Conservative LDP Picks Leader

–Bank of Japan to Stand Pat amid Political Storm Following PM Ishiba’s Resignation, Board Monitors Trump Tariff Impact on Q3 Data–August Data to Highlight Tariff Impact: Japan Carmakers’ Discount Strategy Keeps Their US Market Share but Depresses Export Values–Core CPI to Ease Below 3% on Summer Fuel Subsidies, Yen’s Relative Strength Vs. Slump in Early […]

Fed’s Powell in Jackson Hole Hints at Coming Federal Funds Rate Adjustment

– Says FOMC Can Proceed ‘Carefully’ But Cites Greater Job Risks – Announces Significant Shifts in FOMC’s Monetary Policy Framework By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted Friday that the Federal Open Market Committee could resume lowering short-term interest rates when the Fed’s rate-setting body meets in mid-September. Powell made […]

Fed Officials Still Divided, Unsure About When and How Much To Cut Interest Rates

By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve officials have continued this week to muse about cutting interest rates for the first time since December when the Fed’s rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee meets in mid- September, but the FOMC remains divided and unsure. Despite an uptick in inflation, labor market worries have come to […]