U.S. Fed cuts interest rates, nods to limits of data during shutdown; two policymakers dissent

U.S. Fed cuts interest rates, nods to limits of data during shutdown; two policymakers dissent

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a press conference after the Fed cut interest rates by quarter of a percentage point, in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 29, 2025. | Photo Credit: Reuters A divided U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point on Wednesday (October 29, 2025) and announced … Read more

How to explain US economy’s 4% growth and no jobs

How to explain US economy’s 4% growth and no jobs

As we enter the final quarter of a turbulent 2025, one of the biggest puzzles of the moment is how the U.S. economy is growing at almost 4% without creating any jobs. The answer may lie in artificial intelligence, but proving that will be a challenge. While U.S. markets suffered a near heart attack over … Read more

Fed may trip the stimulation wire

Fed may trip the stimulation wire

The Federal Reserve may be about to stimulate an economy growing at more than 3%, where stocks are at record highs and inflation remains above target. The problem is that no one knows for sure how far the U.S. central bank can go before it trips that wire. Putting aside the intense political pressure, the … Read more

China caught in policy dilemma as Fed rate cut looms

China caught in policy dilemma as Fed rate cut looms

As the U.S. Federal Reserve gears up for an expected rate cut next week, China’s central bank is likely to resist a near-term easing in policy as it grapples with a dilemma: how to shore up a weak economy without further fuelling a hot stock market. Policymakers are under pressure to fend off a sharp … Read more

How the ghost of ‘transitory’ inflation is haunting the rate debate

How the ghost of ‘transitory’ inflation is haunting the rate debate

Joseph Lavorgna, counselor to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, believes tariffs are not inflationary and says economists who have been predicting that prices would rise due to President Donald Trump‘s import duties are wrong. Where many such economists saw effects of tariffs in consumer price inflation data last week, Lavorgna was not persuaded. Economists had been … Read more

POTUS’ rate cut wish may not come true due to inflation

POTUS’ rate cut wish may not come true due to inflation

Washington: The case for a US interest rate cut remains unresolved as Federal Reserve officials head into their policy meeting later this month, with data showing fresh signs of higher inflation and President Donald Trump intensifying his demands for lower borrowing costs. Trump appeared near the point of trying to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell … Read more

US Federal Reserve likely to defy President Trump, keep rates unchanged this week

US Federal Reserve likely to defy President Trump, keep rates unchanged this week

The Federal Reserve will likely keep its key short-term interest rate unchanged on Wednesday, despite weeks of harsh criticism and demands from President Donald Trump that the Fed reduce borrowing costs. After causing a sharp drop in financial markets two weeks ago by saying he could fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Trump subsequently backed off … Read more

Is Fed behind the curve? As unemployment rises in US, worries mount

Is Fed behind the curve? As unemployment rises in US, worries mount

Federal Reserve officials held off on cutting interest rates this week because they wanted to see slightly more data to feel confident that inflation is truly coming under control. While that approach is cautious when it comes to price increases, Friday’s employment report underscored that it might be a risky one when it comes to … Read more

US Fed holds rates steady, nods to possible September cut

US Fed holds rates steady, nods to possible September cut

WASHINGTON: The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday but opened the door to reducing borrowing costs as soon as its next meeting in September as inflation continues coming into line with the U.S. central bank’s 2% target. “There has been some further progress towards the Committee’s 2% objective,” the central bank’s Federal Open … Read more

Fed’s Jerome Powell: “More good data” will “strengthen” case for rate cut

Fed’s Jerome Powell: “More good data” will “strengthen” case for rate cut

Inflation “remains above” the U.S. Federal Reserve’s 2% target, but has been improving in recent months and “more good data would strengthen” the case for central bank interest rate cuts, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said on Tuesday in congressional testimony. In comments that appeared to show increasing faith that inflation will return to the Fed’s … Read more