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Will new tariffs affect monetary policy? For now, it's wait-and-see

Dec 9, 2024
Carola Binder, an economist at the University of Texas at Austin, explains why tariffs might cause prices to rise, but they doesn't necessarily mean the Fed will get involved right off the bat.
Imported cars parked at the Port of Los Angeles.
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Inflation expectations are calm, but some expect that to change

Nov 20, 2024
The Federal Reserve may take note of whether businesses anticipate having to pay higher wages or raise prices under the next administration.
Consumers want prices to fall back to pre-pandemic levels, said Chris Jackson, head of public polling at Ipsos.
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What a second Trump term would mean for the central bank

Nov 8, 2024
On Thursday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell wouldn’t rule out an interest rate hike next year, though that's not the plan at this point.
At Thursday's press conference, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell wouldn’t rule out an interest rate hike next year.
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The Fed's about to get its preferred measure of inflation. Here's what it could mean.

Oct 30, 2024
The PCE index could come in at the central bank's much-vaunted target of 2% inflation.
The PCE may have dipped to or close to the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation goal, thanks in part to falling gas prices.
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Look for predictability in the Fed's interest rate decision next week

Oct 29, 2024
While there's a lot of new economic data coming out between now and then, it will probably be relevant for later Fed meetings.
The Fed under Chair Jerome Powell, above, has a pattern: Set expectations and follow through.
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In a 2nd Trump term, Fed independence would go “out the window,” economist says

Oct 28, 2024
Kai Ryssdal explores what would happen to the global economy if the Federal Reserve lost its autonomy.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell says the process for making interest rate decisions “is always the same.” At meetings, FOMC members ask, “What's the right thing to do for the people we serve?' … It's never about anything else."
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For public good, not for profit.

As focus shifts from inflation to employment, the Fed’s job is still tricky 

Oct 23, 2024
The September rate cut raised hopes for a sturdy labor market into next year and beyond. The effect on jobs, though, may take time.
The labor market has shown strength and fragility this year. Potentially, lower interest rates could be good for business investment and hiring.
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Chicago Fed president explains “the hardest thing that a central bank has to do”

Oct 10, 2024
Austan Goolsbee talks about the Fed's timing in moments of transition, if COVID is still affecting the economy, and why he's a "data dog."
"I'm in the data dogs. And the thing about the data dogs [is that they] don't respond to one month," says Austan Goolsbee about the importance of taking the long view before making decisions.
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What to expect when you’re expecting a Fed framework review

Sep 24, 2024
A lot has happened in monetary policy since the last time the Federal Reserve updated its long-term strategy goals.
After a busy few years in monetary policy, it’s once again time for the Federal Reserve to conduct a review of its long-term strategy.
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