Key takeaway: Federal Reserve Gov. Michael Barr said tariffs and the Iran war are short-term pressures on rural communities, while artificial intelligence will have longer-term, mixed effects. Expert quote: ‘Given rapidly changing circumstances, it is too early to know the path for prices as events in the Middle East unfold.” — Federal Reserve Gov. Michael […]
Fed’s Barr says tariffs, geopolitics weigh on rural areas Read More »
Key insight: Former Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Randal Quarles said in a speech Friday that members of the Fed board should serve at the pleasure of the president, but added that keeping regional Fed bank presidents on the Federal Open Market Committee and ensuring their appointments are not influenced by the White House
Former Fed official argues against Fed independence Read More »
Key insight: Inflation accelerated in March, driven primarily by a surge in energy prices since the onset of the U.S. war in Iran. Supporting data: The Consumer Price Index, a monthly indicator of consumer inflation, rose 0.9% in March and 3.3% year-on-year. Gasoline prices were up 21.2% in March, accounting for three-quarters of the overall
Energy prices drive up inflation to 0.9%in March Read More »
Key Insight: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said there is uncertainty about how the Iran war will affect the economy, but that the central bank’s monetary policy is well positioned to “wait and see” how conditions unfold. Expert Quote: “You have to carefully monitor inflation expectations, because a series of these supply shocks can lead
Powell says Fed cautious as Iran war drives inflation risks Read More »
Key insight: Fed Gov. Lisa Cook, Gov. Michael Barr and Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said in separate appearances Thursday that uncertainty over tariffs and geopolitical tensions is shifting the balance of risks toward combating a rise in inflation. Expert quote: “The ongoing trade policy uncertainty and geopolitical tensions … pose upside risk to my inflation
Fed Govs. express concern about Iran war-driven inflation Read More »
Key insight: Fed Gov. Stephen Miran said he is looking through the oil price shock and keeping his policy outlook unchanged, anticipating four 25 basis point cuts in 2026. Expert quote: “Looking 12 to 18 months out, there’s still not enough clarity to think that monetary policy itself should adjust in response to what’s happened.”
Fed’s Miran says oil shock unlikely to alter rate outlook yet Read More »
In a widely expected move, the Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady Wednesday at a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%, the same level it set in January. “Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has been little
Fed holds rates, officials signal wait and see on inflation risks Read More »
Key Insight: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged Wednesday that he may remain at the helm of the central bank past the end of his term because of delays in confirming his successor, and said he does not plan to leave while an investigation into him is ongoing. Expert quote: “I have no intention of
Fed Chair Powell to stay on until DOJ concludes probe Read More »
Key Insight: The U.S. involvement in the war with Iran has driven energy prices higher, a development economists say could add to inflation and reduce the likelihood of rate cuts this year. Expert quote: “I think the Fed is just going to sit on its hands quite happily because of what’s going on in Iran
Iran scrambles inflation signals as Fed mulls interest rates Read More »
Key Insight: U.S. District Judge James Boasberg wrote in documents unsealed Friday that the Trump administration produced no evidence to suspect Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell of a crime, justifying the tossing of the subpoenas. The Justice Department said it would challenge the decision. Expert quote: “The Government has produced essentially zero evidence to suspect
Judge tosses out ‘unsubstantiated’ subpoenas into Powell Read More »