Monetary policy

Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell flagged a recent upward revision to income and savings data as a sign of economic strength. He said the information could factor into the central bank's monetary policy discourse during the Fed's next interest rate meeting in November.

After cutting rates 50 basis points in September, the Federal Open Market Committee meets after Election Day to determine monetary policy. Gary Pzegeo, head of fixed income at CIBC Private Wealth U.S., provides his take on the latest move.

This week, Federal Reserve Gov. Michelle Bowman cast the first dissenting vote at an FOMC meeting in years. On Friday, she explained why the economic data she's seen didn't convince her of the need to cut rates as much as her fellow governors thought.

The move signals the end of the Federal Reserve's battle against runaway inflation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fed officials expressed divergent views on further action this year.

The Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation held steady at 2.6% for the third month in a row, a positive reading that increases the odds of a September rate cut.

Economists are also forecasting faster and deeper cuts to borrowing costs over the next year, and see the central bank reducing the policy rate from the current 4.5% to 3% by next July.

In his speech at the Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, the Fed chair said employment losses are now a bigger risk than elevated inflation.

Over the weekend Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, said setting interest rates should be a "political decision" with input from elected officials.

Gary Quinzel, vice president of portfolio consulting at Wealth Enhancement Group, gives his views about monetary policy and offers his opinion on the FOMC statement and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference.

The Federal Reserve chairman has two years left in his term, which he will serve regardless of who occupies the White House. Powell's term on the Fed Board of Governors expires in 2028.

The central bank also noted that the banking system is sound but faces several challenges. The report precedes Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming appearances on Capitol Hill.

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Thomas Barkin said he needs further clarity on the path of inflation before lowering interest rates

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says crushing inflation is the most important thing the Fed can do to reduce costs in the housing market. Some economists and policy specialists say higher rates are not the only tool at its disposal.

The Federal Reserve chair said a rate cut would not solve the underlying issues driving up shelter costs, even as housing becomes a disproportionate driver of inflation.

In a speech, the Federal Reserve governor said she would have liked to see the Federal Open Market Committee move more quickly to reduce its holdings. The central bank is poised to begin slowing the pace of balance sheet runoff this week.

The Federal Open Market Committee held the federal funds rate at current levels, citing "lack of further progress" toward meeting inflation goals.

During this week's Federal Open Market Committee meeting, officials voted to lower the cap on the amount of Treasury securities that can roll off the central bank's books each month from $60 billion to $25 billion.

Banks and other financial market participants have been keyed into the central bank's communications around monetary policy expectations. But in an unpredictable economy, the guidance doesn't always hit the mark.

Recent economic data have shown inflation stubbornly above the Fed's 2% target, putting rate cuts in jeopardy. Lauren Saidel-Baker, an economist with ITR Economics, parses the FOMC meeting, Chair Powell's press conference and takes a look at future policy.

According to the Federal Reserve Board's latest financial stability report, persistent inflation and policy uncertainty are the primary worries for banks. Survey respondents expressed heightened anxiety over murky policy outlooks due to geopolitical turmoil and rapidly approaching domestic elections.