The Fed Adjusts Rates, Keeping an Eye on Inflation

In a recent announcement, the Federal Reserve decided to lower their key interest rate by a small amount. This move comes as inflation is getting closer to the central bank's target of 2%. The Fed noted that while inflation is still a bit high, unemployment is low. They also mentioned that the job market is easing up, which might suggest that hiring is slowing down. Some experts believe that the Fed might not lower rates again soon, especially with the incoming president's inflationary economic plans. As the country continues to deal with the aftermath of fast-rising prices, there are worries that the new president's policies, like his tariff proposal, could lead to more inflation. Before the election, the Federal Reserve was happy to see inflation getting back to its 2% goal. But now, with the new president's promised economic changes, things might shift. The market has already started reacting, with traders selling off bonds in anticipation of more inflation. The Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell, might face questions about how the Fed will handle these changes under the new administration. The president has hinted that he might not want the Fed to be as independent as it has been. If the new president follows through with all his tariff plans, it could cause a quick spike in inflation. This would force the Fed to hit the brakes on lowering interest rates.