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This marks the second consecutive cut in 2025 amid economic uncertainty and a government data blackout. In a move aimed at supporting growth, the Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark interest rate by 0.25% following its October policy meeting. The decision, reportedly backed by a 10–2 vote from the Federal Open Market Committee, reflects growing concern …
The latest U.S. inflation figures show a modest increase in consumer prices. The annual rate rose to 3.0% in September 2025, up from 2.9% in August. 2025. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.3% month-on-month, slightly below economists’ expectations. Core inflation—which excludes volatile food and energy …
Continue reading “U.S. Inflation Slows Slightly in September, Easing Pressure on Fed”
In a candid assessment that sent ripples through global markets, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has acknowledged that U.S. stock prices appear ‘fairly highly valued’ by several measures. Speaking at a recent event in Providence, Rhode Island, Powell reportedly responded to questions about the Fed’s tolerance for elevated asset prices, noting that financial conditions—including equity …
Continue reading “Fed flags elevated stock valuations amid market euphoria”
On 17th September 2025, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced its first interest rate cut of 2025, lowering the benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25% to a range of 4.00%–4.25%. The decision follows nine months of monetary policy stagnation and comes amid mounting evidence of a weakening labour market and persistent inflationary pressures. Fed Chair Jerome …
Continue reading “Fed cuts rates amid labour market strains and political Powell pressure”
In the early 1970s, President Richard Nixon’s pursuit of re-election collided with the Federal Reserve’s independence, triggering a cascade of economic consequences that reshaped global finance. The episode remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of politicising monetary policy. At the heart of the drama was Nixon’s pressure on Fed Chair at the time, Arthur …
Continue reading “The Nixon shock: When politics undermined the Fed—and markets paid the price”
As Nvidia prepares to unveil another round of blockbuster earnings, Wall Street’s gaze remains firmly fixed on the AI darling’s ascent. The company has become a proxy for the entire tech sector’s hopes, its valuation ballooning on the back of generative AI hype and data centre demand. Traders, analysts, and even pension funds are treating …
The Federal Reserve held its key interest rate steady at 4.25% – 4.50% on 7th May 2025, citing economic uncertainty and the potential impact of tariffs. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasised that the central bank is in wait-and-see mode, monitoring inflation and employment risks. The decision follows concerns that Trump’s trade policies could lead to …
President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has sent shockwaves through the financial markets, reigniting concerns about the central bank’s independence. On Monday 21st April 2025, Trump took to social media to publicly call Powell a ‘major loser’ and demanded immediate interest rate cuts, warning of an economic slowdown if his …
Continue reading “U.S. stocks slide again as Trump publicly criticises Fed Chair Powell”
The Federal Reserve’s favourite recession indicator, the inverted yield curve, is flashing a danger sign once again. This occurs when the U.S. yield on the 10-year Treasury note falls below that of the 3-month note. Historically, this has been a reliable predictor of economic downturns, with a strong track record over a 12-18-month timeframe. The …
Continue reading “Federal Reserve’s preferred recession indicator is flashing red again!”
The Federal Reserve maintained its key interest rate on Wednesday 29th January 2025, reversing a recent trend of policy easing as it assesses the likely turbulent political and economic landscape ahead. As expected, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) left its borrowing rate unchanged in a range between 4.25% and 4.50%. The decision followed three …
Continue reading “Fed holds rates steady – calculates a less confident view on inflation”
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut its borrowing rate to a range of 4.25% – 4.50%, mirroring its December 2022 level. The Fed indicated that it probably would only lower twice more in 2025, according to the closely watched ‘dot plot’ matrix of individual members’ future rate expectations While the decision itself was closely …
Continue reading “Fed cuts interest rate by 0.25% – indicates fewer cuts in 2025”
The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index announced 27th November 2025, rose by 0.2% monthly, matching a 12-month inflation rate of 2.3%, aligning with expectations. Core U.S. inflation recorded more robust figures, climbing 0.3% monthly and reaching an annual rate of 2.8%, but also in accordance with forecasts. Consumer spending increased by 0.4% monthly, as …
Continue reading “U.S. Fed’s preferred inflation measure rises to 2.3% “
More new records set in extended U.S. post-election rally The S&P 500 and Nasdaq climbed on Thursday 7th November 2024, extending the rally following the victory of President-elect Donald Trump, while traders considered the implications of the Federal Reserve’s recent rate reduction. The S&P 500 rose to close at an all-time high of 5,973.10, while …
Continue reading “S&P 500 and Nasdaq close at new records again as Fed cuts rates”
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has reduced its benchmark overnight borrowing rate by 0.25%, bringing it to a target range of 4.50%-4.75%. This move follows September’s significant 0.5% cut. The overnight borrowing rate, while primarily affecting interbank lending rates, also typically impacts consumer debt products including mortgages, credit cards, auto and other loans.
Recent inflation data suggests that the Federal Reserve is fast approaching its goal, if not already there – following the central bank’s significant interest rate reduction of 0.50% a few weeks ago Both consumer and producer price indexes for September 2024 aligned with forecasts, indicating a decline in inflation towards the central bank’s 2% target. …
Continue reading “Is it job done for the Federal Reserve now?”
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently stated that the latest half-percent reduction in interest rates should not be interpreted as a sign that future measures will be equally as aggressive. The Fed suggests that subsequent adjustments will likely be more ‘modest’. In his address, the central bank’s chief highlighted their goal to balance curbing inflation …
Continue reading “The Fed says smaller rate cuts not bigger to come”
In August 2024, U.S. inflation edged closer to the Federal Reserve’s target, potentially paving the way for future reductions in interest rates, according to a report from the U.S. Commerce Department released Friday 27th September 2024 The personal consumption expenditures price index (PCE), which is the Fed’s preferred gauge for assessing the cost of goods …
Continue reading “U.S. Fed preferred inflation measure came in at 2.2% in August 2024”
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has voted to reduce the interest rate by 0.50% after having maintained its benchmark rate within the range of 5.25% to 5.50% since July 2023 The previous rate was the highest seen for 23 years and remained unchanged even though the Fed’s favoured inflation gauge has decreased from 3.3% …
Is the U.S. economy already weaker than the headline data suggests and should the U.S. Federal Reserve already be easing? In the U.S. recent data (Friday 30th August 2024) showed the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, the Federal Reserve’s favored measure of inflation, ticked up 0.2% last month, as expected. The data seems to …
No surprise here then as the Fed have been signalling a cut for some time now The Fed summary stated: “The vast majority” of participants at the July 30-31 meeting “observed that, if the data continued to come in about as expected, it would likely be appropriate to ease policy at the next meeting.” Markets …
Has the Fed over-cooked it this time by waiting too long to reduce interest rates? U.S. stock markets threw a wobbly after the latest employment data and after the Fed delayed its first rate cut… again. September 2024 now looks likely for that first cut – but by how much: 0.25% or as high as …
FOMC hold rates steady at 5.25% – 5.50% Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell ended a press conference in which he gave markets exactly what they wanted; a strong indication of a September 2024 rate cut. Powell says September 2024 rate cut ‘on the table’ if inflation continues to cool. Federal Reserve officials held short-term interest …
Continue reading “Markets got to hear exactly what they wanted to hear from Fed chair Jerome Powell”
The personal consumption expenditures price index (PCE) increased 0.1% in June 2024 and was up 2.5% from a year ago, with the annual rate showing a slight decline from the prior month Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, showed a monthly increase of 0.2% and 2.6% on the year, both also in line with …
Jerome Powell appears to be further paving the way for a rate cut at the next meeting in July 2024. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reportedly said Monday 15th July 2024 that the central bank will not wait until inflation hits 2% to cut interest rates. Powell referenced the idea that central bank policy works with ‘long …
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a comprehensive gauge for goods and services costs, saw a 0.1% decrease from May 2024, bringing the annual rate to 3%, which is near its lowest point in over three years. When removing the unstable food and energy prices, the core CPI rose by 0.1% monthly and 3.3% annually. This …
Jerome Powell on Tuesday 9th July 2024 reportedly expressed concern that holding interest rates too high for too long could jeopardize economic growth. This comment came ahead of the consumer price index reading due this week. Preparing for a two-day session on Capitol Hill, the central bank chief stated that the economy and labour market …