Fed cuts rates amid labour market strains and political Powell pressure

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 …

U.S. stocks slide again as Trump publicly criticises Fed Chair Powell

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 …

Markets got to hear exactly what they wanted to hear from Fed chair Jerome Powell

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 …

Federal Reserve chair Powell says keeping rates high for too long could jeopardize growth

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 …

Fed Chair Powell stresses the importance of additional proof that inflation is subsiding before cutting interest rates

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated on Wednesday 3rd April 2024 that policymakers will need time to assess the current inflation situation, leaving the schedule for potential interest rate reductions unclear. Referring to the stronger-than-anticipated price pressures at the year’s onset, Powell reportedly stated that he and his colleagues are not in a hurry to …

Powell says the Fed is not ready to start cutting interest rates yet

In his Capitol Hill testimony on 6th March 2024, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated that was not yet time to begin cutting interest rates. To fight inflation, which reached a rate of 9% in the summer of 2022, the central bank has significantly increased interest rates in recent times. However, prices are still stubborn, especially for things like housing and …

Federal Reserve chair Powell insists ‘probably’ fewer rate cuts in 2024 than the market expects

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said in a U.S. TV interview on Sunday 4th January 2024 that the central bank will proceed carefully with interest rate cuts this year and likely will move at a considerably slower pace than the market expects. Election year rate cuts? In the interview and after last week’s Federal Open …

The Fed is ‘not confident’ according to Jerome Powell

Fed Chair Jerome Powell reportedly said he and his colleagues remain steadfast in getting policy in line with their 2% inflation target, but ‘we are not confident that we have achieved such a stance’. He stressed the Fed nevertheless can be cautious as the risks between doing too much and too little have come into …

The U.S. Federal Reserve has cut interest rates by 0.25%, lowering the federal funds rate to a range of 3.75%–4.00%

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 …

AI Crash! Correction or pullback? Something is coming…

Influential figures and institutions are sounding the AI alarm—or at least raising eyebrows—about the frothy valuations and speculative fervour surrounding artificial intelligence. Who’s Warning About the AI Bubble? 🏛️ Bank of England – Financial Policy Committee 🏦 Jerome Powell – Chair, U.S. Federal Reserve 🧮 Lisa Shalett – Chief Investment Officer, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management …

Wall Street’s euphoric surge sparks warnings of imminent pullback

Despite a backdrop of economic uncertainty and a partial government shutdown, Wall Street’s three major indices—the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average—closed at record highs on Thursday 2nd October 2025, fuelling concerns that investor confidence may be tipping into excess. The S&P 500 edged up 0.06%, continuing its relentless climb, while the …

Fed flags elevated stock valuations amid market euphoria

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 …

U.S. inflation holds steady in July 2025 but Core Inflation edges higher

The latest inflation data for the month of July 2025 shows a mixed picture for the U.S. economy, as price pressures remain persistent despite signs of cooling in some sectors. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the headline Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index rose 2.6% year-over-year, unchanged from June, while the core PCE …

U.S. interest rates held steady at 4.25% to 4.50%

On 30th July 2025, the Federal Reserve opted to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4.25%–4.50%, defying mounting pressure from President Trump to initiate cuts. The decision, reached by a 9–2 vote, marked the first time since 1993 that two governors—Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller—formally dissented, advocating for a quarter-point reduction. Fed Chair Jerome …

U.S. holds interest rates steady – Trump isn’t happy!

U.S. Federal Reserve has kept its benchmark interest rate steady at 4.25% to 4.50% for the fourth consecutive meeting. This decision reflects a cautious stance amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s tariff policies and their potential impact on inflation and economic growth. The Fed still anticipates two rate cuts later in 2025, but officials are …

Trump tariff roll-back – a win for China? U.S. markets rejoice the ‘deal’

The U.S. stock market surged as investors cheered a breakthrough in trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing. The rollback of tariffs, announced as part of a new trade agreement, sent the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite soaring. The deal, which slashes ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on both sides, is seen as a major …

U.S. Federal Reserve holds interest rates at 4.25% – 4.50% and upsets Trump in the process

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 …

Tech driven sell-off gained at pace as Nasdaq dropped 3% and Dow Jones down 700 points

The stock market experienced another sharp Trump tariff related downturn Wednesday 16th April 2025, driven by a tech-heavy sell-off continuing to rattle investors. The Nasdaq Composite plunged by 3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed nearly 700 points, marking one of the most significant declines in recent months. Concerns over tariffs and inflation were …

U.S. holds interest rate steady despite Trumps tariff threats – transitory inflation is back – remember that?

The Federal Reserve has opted to maintain its federal funds rate within the range of 4.25% to 4.5%, a decision that aligned with market expectations This comes amidst increasing uncertainty surrounding the economic landscape. While the Fed’s current stance is to hold interest rates steady, it has reiterated its intention to implement two rate cuts …

The Fed says smaller rate cuts not bigger to come

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 …

The Fed says progress has been made in the fight against inflation

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has expressed satisfaction with the current progress in the inflation battle but indicated a desire for additional positive data before considering a reduction in interest rates. “We want to be more confident that inflation is moving sustainably down toward 2% before we start the process of reducing or loosening policy,” …

U.S. debt and deficits are generating concerns about potential threats to the economy and financial markets

The federal debt reportedly reached $34.5 trillion, marking an increase of approximately $11 trillion since March 2020. This surge has sparked discussions among government and financial leaders, with a notable Wall Street firm questioning whether the associated costs could threaten the stock market’s upward trend. The Congressional Budget Office projects that the public debt will …