Monetary policy

The personal consumption expenditures index showed headline inflation flat at 2.5%, but the details of the report explain the Federal Reserve's reluctance to adjust interest rates.

Get expert analysis of the May FOMC meeting, inflation outlook, and Powell's comments. Join Wilmington Trust's chief economist Luke Tilley on May 8 at 1 p.m. for key takeaways and forecasts.

After the Federal Reserve moved to slow the pace of quantitative tightening, the Fed chair floated the idea of continuing to allow mortgage-backed securities to roll off its books even after the central bank has met its monetary policy objectives in reducing its balance sheet.

In a positive sign for the economy, headline inflation slowed in February. But the reading alone likely is not enough to break the Federal Open Market Committee out of its wait-and-see mode.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the need for patience amid uncertainty over the Trump administration's policies, saying there would be no immediate rate changes but that the Fed would proceed carefully.

Federal Reserve Gov. Michelle Bowman, one of the central bank's more inflation-wary officials, said the balance of risks for monetary policymaking could soon shift.

A March 2025 survey by the National Association for Business Economics shows growing inflation concerns — and a diminishing chance of rate cuts — in 2025, but also optimism about avoiding a recession.

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation index showed little progress toward its target of 2%, increasing the likelihood of a prolonged rate pause.

The Federal Reserve appears to be on hold, waiting for clarity on inflation and fiscal policy. The March 19th Federal Open Market Committee meeting, with a new Summary of Economic Projections will illuminate members' revised thoughts on interest rates. Join us March 20 at 12:00 pm as Mike Goosay, Chief Investment Officer of Global Fixed Income at Principal Asset Management, breaks down the meeting, Chair Powell's press conference and the SEP.

As the Federal Reserve's overnight reverse repurchase agreement program nears zero, pressure could mount on the central bank to slow or stop its asset runoff as it fights inflation.