The Federal Reserve is widely expected to lower interest rates this Thursday, marking its second rate reduction in just a few months.
Economists predict a modest cut of 0.25 percentage points, which would lower the federal funds rate from its current range of 4.75% to 5% down to 4.5% to 4.75%. This follows a larger rate reduction in September that caught many by surprise.
As inflation continues to ease, the Fed appears to be gradually scaling back its previous measures aimed at containing record-high inflation that arose during the pandemic. Although the anticipated cut may offer some immediate relief, experts believe its impact will be limited at first, with more noticeable effects emerging if the Fed continues on this trajectory in the coming months.
For those managing credit card debt, these incremental cuts could eventually translate to reduced interest costs, though the changes may be modest initially. Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree, suggests that, for now, consumers may see only small savings, with more significant effects likely to accumulate over time.
While the Fed’s adjustments may ease some borrowing costs, mortgage rates, however, have recently edged up despite the previous rate cut, largely due to economic uncertainties and rising Treasury yields. LendingTree’s senior economist Jacob Channel points out that investor concerns about U.S. debt and the upcoming election could keep mortgage rates elevated, at least for now.
The official Fed announcement is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Nov. 7, with Chair Jerome Powell expected to address the press shortly after.
The U.S. economy may be closer to a downturn than many realize, according to Jay Bryson, chief economist at Wells Fargo.
Morgan Stanley has issued a cautionary outlook on the U.S. dollar, predicting a major decline over the coming year as Federal Reserve rate cuts take hold.
Legendary investor Ray Dalio has issued a stark warning about the trajectory of U.S. government finances, suggesting the country is drifting toward a series of severe economic shocks unless its debt spiral is urgently addressed.
Steve Eisman, the famed investor known for forecasting the 2008 housing collapse, is sounding the alarm—not on overvalued tech stocks or interest rates, but on the escalating risk of global trade disputes.