Monetary policy

The Federal Open Market Committee's decision to reduce interest rates for the first time in nine months lifted bank stocks Wednesday. The 25-basis-point reduction could lead to net interest income headwinds now, but loan growth later, analysts said.

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to lower interest rates, but questions about how big of a cut and the trajectory for future cuts remain uncertain — and the White House's power struggle with the central bank is a complicating factor.

Market watchers expect the Federal Open Market Committee to announce a 25 basis point rate cut today, but are also watching for signals of more cuts to come and how many members push for a larger 50 basis point cut.

The White House's appeal of a lower court injunction allowing Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook to remain on the Fed board is urging the court to rule in its favor ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Sept. 16 and 17.

The White House has appealed a D.C. District Court ruling allowing Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook to remain on the Fed board pending the outcome of her challenge to President Trump's moves to fire her.

Consumer prices rose 0.4% in August, up from 0.2% in July, as weak job growth and lingering tariff uncertainty reinforce expectations for a September Fed rate cut.

A federal district court judge granted an injunction allowing Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook to remain on the central bank's board pending the outcome of her legal challenge to President Donald Trump's move to fire her late last month.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the economy added 22,000 jobs in August, raising the unemployment rate to 4.3% and providing additional cover for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates in September.

Stephen Miran will take unpaid leave from and might seek to return to President Trump's Council of Economic Advisers, he said, raising conflict of interest questions in his nomination hearing for a seat on the Federal Reserve Board.

The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook and allegations of mortgage fraud, allegations that spurred President Trump to terminate her position on the Fed Board last week. Cook is challenging the president's authority to remove her in court.