US Fed Meeting Highlights: The Federal Reserve pressed pause on its rate-cutting campaign, signaling no immediate plans for further reductions as it navigates a landscape clouded by inflation concerns and President Donald Trump’s economic policies.
By holding rates steady at 4.25% to 4.5%, the Fed may be setting the stage for a prolonged wait-and-see approach—monitoring inflation’s trajectory and awaiting clarity on Trump’s trade and immigration plans.
But this pause might not last long. If inflation resumes its decline and officials determine that Trump’s policies will only modestly push up prices, the central bank could quickly return to easing mode. This will also mark the Fed’s first policy announcement since Donald Trump assumed office as the 47th US President on January 20.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates on the US Fed Meeting
US Fed Meeting Live: Powell flags inflation uncertainty as Trump’s policies loom
Fed Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged that predicting inflation’s trajectory has become more challenging—thanks, in part, to the unpredictability of Trump’s economic agenda.
With Trump vowing sweeping tariffs, tax cuts, and mass deportations, the economic landscape could shift dramatically, potentially fueling higher prices. The Fed’s usual playbook to combat inflation? Keeping interest rates elevated to curb borrowing and spending. But with so many unknowns, Powell and his team may have a tough road ahead in balancing growth and price stability.
(With AP inputs)
US Fed Meeting Live: Fed maintains key interest rate 4.25%-4.5% range
The US Federal Reserve opted to maintain its key interest rate in the range of 4.25%-4.5%, as expected. This decision by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) follows a series of rate cuts that began in September 2024.
US Fed Meeting Live: Fed Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged
US Fed holds interest rates at 4.25%-4.50% range.
US Fed Meeting Live: Markets and Fed see eye to eye on rate cuts — for now
Wall Street is betting that the Federal Reserve won’t cut rates again until June, with futures markets pricing in a second quarter-point reduction before year’s end.
That outlook closely mirrors the Fed’s own projections from last month, when most officials signaled that the short-term policy rate would likely end 2025 in the 3.75%-4.00% range—about half a percentage point lower than its current level.
But with inflation, job data, and economic growth still in flux, the real question is: Will the Fed stay on this path, or will shifting conditions force a change in course?
(With inputs from Reuters)
US Fed Meeting Live: Is Fed’s rate policy really restrictive? Job market sends mixed signals
Fed Governor Chris Waller earlier in January pointed to slower hiring as proof that interest rates are "restrictive"—meaning they’re actively cooling the economy and should help curb inflation over time. If true, that would give the Fed more room to cut rates if inflation continues to ease.
But just days after Waller’s remarks, the December jobs report told a different story. Hiring unexpectedly accelerated, and the unemployment rate dipped from 4.2% to 4.1%, signaling that the job market remains strong.
With these mixed signals, the Fed faces a tricky balancing act: Are rates truly restrictive, or is the economy proving more resilient than expected?
(With AP inputs)
US Fed Meeting Live: Will the Fed hit pause on rate cuts?
After three consecutive rate cuts in late 2024, the Federal Reserve now faces a pivotal question: Why stop now?
The answer lies in inflation. While consumer prices have been rising at a slower pace than in 2022 and 2023, inflation still sits at 2.9% as of December—a five-month high and well above the Fed’s ideal 2% target.
Even as the Fed delivered its final 2024 rate cut in December, policymakers signaled a much slower pace of cuts in 2025, pointing to persistent inflation and resilient economic growth. Now, the big question is whether the central bank will stay the course—or hit the brakes.
US Fed Meeting Live: Bank of Canada cuts rates
The Bank of Canada lowered its key policy rate by 25 basis points to 3% on Wednesday, citing slower growth and concerns over inflation, CNBC reported. The central bank also slashed its economic growth forecasts, warning that US trade policies could further fuel persistent inflation.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is doubling down on his protectionist stance, vowing to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports starting Saturday. With Canada sending 75% of its exports to the U.S., the move could have major economic repercussions on both sides of the border.
US Fed Meeting Live: Gold holds steady ahead of Fed decision
Gold prices hovered near steady levels on Wednesday as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision while also weighing President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats.
By 12:16 p.m. ET (1716 GMT), spot gold inched down 0.2% to $2,756.49 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures edged up 0.1% to $2,770.70, widening their premium over spot prices. With the Fed’s policy stance and Trump’s trade agenda in focus, gold remains a key barometer of market uncertainty.
US Fed Meeting Live: When to watch Fed Chair press conference?
The Federal Reserve will unveil its rate decision at 12:30 a.m. IST, followed by a press conference with Chair Jerome Powell at 1:00 a.m. IST.
US Fed Meeting Live: European stocks hit record high ahead of Fed decision
European markets soared to a record close on Wednesday, driven by a tech sector surge following strong earnings from chip equipment giant ASML. Meanwhile, investors kept a close eye on the U.S. Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy decision.
The pan-European STOXX 600 climbed 0.5%, marking its largest one-day gain in over a week. Leading the charge, the technology sector jumped 2.5%, its biggest rally in three weeks.
ASML shares spiked 5.6% after the Dutch company reported fourth-quarter bookings of €7.09 billion ($7.39 billion), surpassing expectations. The upbeat results reassured investors that demand for AI chips remains strong, easing concerns sparked earlier this week by China’s DeepSeek, which unveiled an AI model requiring less computing power than competitors.
(With Reuters' inputs)
US Fed Meeting Live: All eyes on Powell
After the Fed reveals its latest policy decision, Chair Jerome Powell will take center stage in a press conference that could offer crucial clues about the central bank’s outlook on further rate cuts this year.
Investors will be listening closely—especially after the Fed’s December announcement, which rattled markets by scaling back its rate-cut forecast from four reductions to just two in 2025. That move helped trigger one of the worst trading days of the year. Now, Wall Street is eager to see whether Powell sticks to that script or signals a shift.
US Fed Meeting Live: Fed’s rate cut plans
At the close of last month’s policy meeting, Federal Reserve officials signaled expectations for two quarter-point rate cuts in 2025—but only if economic data unfolds as anticipated.
The real challenge? Navigating uncertainty. Unexpected shocks to inflation, growth, or financial markets could force the Fed to rethink its path, making every economic indicator a potential game-changer in its decision-making.
US Fed Meeting Live: Trump vs Powell - A renewed clash over interest rates?
The Federal Reserve’s latest decision could reignite the long-standing tensions between Fed Chair Jerome Powell and President Donald Trump. Though Trump nominated Powell to lead the Fed in late 2017, their relationship quickly soured when Powell pushed forward with interest rate hikes that Trump opposed.
Since returning to the White House on January 20, Trump has stuck to his stance, vowing to "demand" lower rates and insisting that the Fed consider his views.
Powell is expected to face questions about Trump's comments during Wednesday’s press conference. However, if history is any guide, he will likely reiterate that the Fed remains independent and keeps politics out of its decision-making.
US Fed Meeting Live: Euro zone bond yields steady ahead of Fed meet
Euro zone bond yields held steady as traders paused ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement later today and the European Central Bank’s meeting on Thursday. Markets also kept an eye on upcoming U.S. tech earnings and declining crude prices.
Germany’s 10-year bond yield, the euro zone’s benchmark, remained flat at 2.557%, hovering near the midpoint of its recent range. Meanwhile, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dipped two basis points to 4.524%.
(With inputs from Reuters)
US Fed Meeting Live: Projections suggest potential total reduction of...
In late 2024, the Federal Reserve initiated its rate-cutting cycle with a bold 50-basis-point reduction in September, followed by smaller cuts in November and December, bringing rates to the 4.50%-4.75% range. Looking ahead to 2025, projections suggest a potential total reduction of 50 basis points. However, any further cuts will hinge on clear signs of an economic slowdown and sustained progress in taming inflation.
Read More: Will Powell throw a surprise by agreeing to Trump’s call for a rate cut?
US Fed Meeting Live: Where to watch?
For all the latest updates, stay tuned to the live blog at FinancialExpress.com. Moreover, the FOMC meeting announcement will also be streamed live at the US Fed’s official Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/federalreserve and https://www.federalreserve.gov/live-broadcast.htm
US Fed Meeting Live: Wall Street wavers ahead of Fed’s rate decision
U.S. stock indexes fluctuated Wednesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, following two volatile days fueled by doubts over the artificial intelligence boom.
The S&P 500 dipped 0.2% in morning trading on a busy day that will also see earnings reports from major players like Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Tesla after the closing bell. As of 10:25 a.m. Eastern time, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 79 points (0.2%), while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.5%.
Nvidia remained at the heart of Wall Street’s turbulence this week after Chinese startup DeepSeek claimed to have developed a large-language AI model rivaling the best without relying on Nvidia’s top-tier chips. This raised concerns about whether AI development would demand as much investment in chips, data centers, and electricity as previously expected. Nvidia shares slid 3.7% Wednesday, following a dramatic 17% drop on Monday and a nearly 9% rebound on Tuesday. The chipmaker was the biggest drag on the S&P 500, even as most stocks in the index posted gains.
(With AP inputs)
US Fed Meeting Live: Donald Trump seeks lower interest rates
Donald Trump has expressed his desire to lower US Federal Reserve interest rates by ramping up energy production and, if necessary, engaging directly with the Fed. "I'll demand that interest rates drop immediately," he declared in a virtual address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week.
Speaking at a White House event after Davos, Trump took a swipe at the Fed’s leadership, stating, "I think I know interest rates much better than they do, and certainly much better than the one who's primarily in charge of making that decision," in a pointed remark seemingly directed at Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
US Fed Meeting Live: When will Fed Chair announce the first policy decision of 2025?
The two-day FOMC meeting (January 28–29) will conclude today at 2 p.m. ET (12:30 a.m. IST, Thursday) with Fed Chair Jerome Powell announcing the decision.
US Fed Meeting Live: Hello and welcome to the blog
Welcome to the live coverage of the US Fed FOMC meeting. The US Federal Reserve is set to announce its first monetary policy decision of 2025 today, January 29, marking its first major move since Donald Trump assumed office as the 47th US President on January 20. With inflation still a key concern, Wall Street widely expects the central bank to hold interest rates steady, waiting for clearer signs of progress toward its 2% target. Stay tuned for the latest updates.