Category: Economy

Fed Gov. Waller Leans toward Dec. 18 Rate Cut but Allows for Pause

By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said Monday that he is “leaning” toward supporting a quarter percentage point cut in short-term interest rates when the Fed holds its mid-December monetary policy meeting but opened the door to a pause in the monetary easing process if incoming economic data so warrant. […]

US November ISM Manufacturing in Contraction for 8th Straight Month but Shows Signs of Pickup in early 2025; Firms Look at Bright Side of Potentially Business Friendly New Administration

–ISM Manufacturing Index at 48.4 vs. 46.5 in October, Well above Median Forecast of 47.6–ISM’s Fiore: Concerns about Inflationary Fiscal Policy Not Going Away but Optimism over Trump Plans Kicks in–ISM’s Fiore: US Economy on Soft-Landing Course; Still Believes ISM Index Likely to Pick Up Above Neutral Line of 50 in Q1 of 2025 By […]

FOMC Minutes Don’t Rule Out or Guarantee December Rate Cut

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting earlier this month, published Tuesday, were faithfully in line with Fed Chair Powell’s post-meeting comments, seeing the likelihood of another rate cut in December as in November if the economy and inflation remain on the current path. The portion of the minutes devoted […]

Japan Still Sees Modest Economic Recovery but Warns It Now Needs to Watch Future US Policy amid Headwinds of Inflation, Middle East Tensions, Weak Yen

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government maintained its overall assessment that the economy’s “modest recovery” is set to continue thanks to wage hikes amid widespread labor shortages, but urged a close watch on the future U.S. government policy as well as lingering high costs for necessities, geopolitical risks and the weak yen. In its […]

Fed Officials Keep Speaking Cautiously About Cutting Interest Rates Further

– Cook: More Rate Cuts ‘Likely’ but Size, Timing to Depend on Data – Schmid: “It Remains to Be Seen’ How Much Lower Rates Should Go By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve policymakers have continued this week to signal caution on further interest rate reductions. When the Fed’s policymaking Federal Open Market Committee […]

Powell: Fed In No ‘Hurry’ To Keep Cutting Interest Rates

– FOMC Will Proceed ‘Carefully,’ ‘Patiently’ Toward ‘Neutral’ Funds Rate – FOMC May Slow Pace of Easing As It Approaches Neutral Range – Level of Neutrality Uncertain; So Should Move ‘Slowly and Carefully’ By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell declared Thursday that the Fed is in no “hurry” to keep […]

Fed Officials Voice Caution, Patience about Further Funds Rate Cuts

on suggests to me that the risk of inflation ceasing to converge toward 2%, or moving higher, has risen, while the risk of an unwelcome deterioration in the labor market has remained unchanged or possibly fallen.” “Monetary policy is well positioned,” Musalem continued. “Given current economic conditions and the balance of risks, I believe the […]

Fed Officials Voice Caution, Patience about Further Funds Rate Cuts

(MaceNews) – Federal Reserve officials counseled caution in deciding on further interest rate cuts Wednesday, without foreclosing that possibility. St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President Alberto Musalem said the Fed’s policymaking Federal Open Market Committee should “judiciously and patiently evaluate incoming information in considering further lowering of the policy rate.” Musalem, who will be a […]