The Fed risks falling behind the curve (again)
Chairman Powell decided to keep rates at their current range of 4.25% to 4.5%, citing uncertainty over the impact of tariffs on inflation. There's been significant debate over the Fed's interest rate policy this year, mainly because of tariffs. Most economists agree...
Powell says Fed would have cut rates if not for tariffs
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated that interest rate cuts were on hold due to tariff effects, despite pressure from the Trump administration. At a European Central Bank forum, Powell said, “I think that’s right,” when asked if tariffs delayed cuts,...
While markets are still expecting the first cut in September, July is in the running after jobs decrease
A surprise drop of 33,000 private-sector jobs in June—the first decline since March 2023—may influence the Federal Reserve’s timing on rate cuts. Although September remains the most likely month for a cut, odds for July rose to nearly 25% after markets reacted to the...
Real estate investors are scooping up properties while many buyers are still sitting on the sideline.
As home sale inventories increase, many buyers are waiting for interest rates or home prices to decrease before purchasing. During this period, real estate investors continue to acquire properties. Affordability constraints remain a factor affecting homebuying...
Rate Unchanged Again
Fed Chair Jerome Powell left its key interest rate unchanged again Wednesday May 7th and gave no hint of plans to lower the interest rate anytime soon, as tariffs raise the risks of either another inflation spike or recession. The central bank lowered the rate by a...
The central bank may act more aggressively than originally expected after Trump’s bombshell tariff announcement
Expectations for a flurry of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts this year spiked as financial markets reeled in the wake of President Trump’s wave of global tariffs. The central bank is now expected by money markets to slash its key rate by 100 basis points before the...
Mass Layoffs Hit Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The agency, which has returned $21 billion to consumers since its inception, could lose 1,500 of its 1,700 employees, a union warned. The full scope of the cuts was not immediately clear, but by late afternoon, hundreds of workers across all of the agency’s major...
Fed’s Powell sounds the alarm on potential Trump tariff shock
Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said the Trump administration’s tariff war will likely drive inflation higher and slow the US economy but dismissed the prospect of an imminent interest rate cut as those risks grow. The Fed chief described the extent of Trump’s...
The Fed is backed into a corner
Its dual mandate is low unemployment and inflation, two often competing goals. Raising interest rates can slow inflation but increase job losses, while cutting interest rates can increase hiring but risk faster inflation. A potential rock-hard-place moment for the Fed...
Mortgage and refinance rates today, February 24, 2025: Fixed rates decrease
Mortgage interest rates have inched down for the most part. According to Zillow, the 30-year fixed rate has decreased by four basis points to 6.50%, and the 15-year fixed rate is down by four basis points to 5.83%. Rates are inching up and down sporadically, but there...