The Business Times

Rob Curran

emailbtnews@sph.com.sg
Many Wall Street economists are raising their growth forecasts in 2026, while Fed chief Powell's impression of the US economy remains rosy.
NEWS ANALYSIS

Powell’s warning to investors and lenders: The Fed won’t spoil the markets any longer

With rates in the 3 to 4% range, monetary policy is no longer restrictive

The Fed is expected to cut interest rates this week to a range of between 3.75 per cent and 4 per cent.
NEWS ANALYSIS

As Fed prepares to cut rates this week, all eyes are on outcome of Trump-Xi meeting in Seoul

Prospect of a trade deal between Washington and Beijing has raised hopes of prices of goods coming down ahead of the holiday...

(FILES) Lisa Cook (R) takes the oath of office as she is sworn-in to become a member of the Federal Reserve Board by Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell, at the Federal Reserve Building in Washington, DC, on May 23, 2022. US Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook filed a lawsuit on August 28, 2025, to challenge Donald Trump's move to fire her -- as the president intensified pressure on the independent central bank. Cook also asked for a temporary restraining order declaring that Trump's attempt to fire her is unlawful and preventing the Fed from removing her for now. A hearing on that motion has been set for August 29. Trump had published a letter on his Truth Social platform on August 25, stating that he was removing Cook from her role and citing accusations of false statements on her mortgage agreements. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP)
NEWS ANALYSIS

Fed’s independence still in jeopardy even as governor Lisa Cook stays in job for now

Analysts say that an ouster by Trump would undermine trust in an institution that lies at the heart of the trust-based financial...

When the US Federal Reserve cut rates on Wednesday, the Russell 2000 index of small caps – the most closely tied to the fortunes of the US economy – surged by over 2%.
NEWS ANALYSIS

Fed’s rate-cut plans pre-empt a recession, rather than reacting to one

The Federal Reserve’s latest move is a shift from the hold-steady, wait-and-see approach to an aggressive defence of the US labour market

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speak during a tour of the Federal Reserve Board building, which is currently undergoing renovations, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 24, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File Photo
NEWS ANALYSIS

Whether it’s one rate cut or more, Fed’s Powell likely to act with caution as inflation stays high

US central bank expected to cut rates by 25 basis points to a range of between 4% and 4.25 % this week

At Jackson Hole, Powell indicated that conditions were at last ripe for a rate cut, ending an eight-month wait for stock- and bond-market bulls.
NEWS ANALYSIS

Powell treads fine line between fighting inflation and pivoting to rate cuts

Even so, he may still not be able to save the US economy from stagflation, the stock market from its recent wobbles, or...

"If we cut rates too soon, maybe we didn’t finish the job with inflation. If we cut too late, we might do unnecessary damage to the labour market,” says the Fed chair.
NEWS ANALYSIS

Dealing with inflation, not cutting rates, remains the Fed chief’s priority for now

Powell pushed back on suggestions that a September rate cut was a foregone conclusion, a statement that caused US stocks to drop

The markets will be focused on whether Jerome Powell underscores the Fed's desire to cut rates this year, or if he remains non-committal.
NEWS ANALYSIS

Defiant Fed chief to send clear signal he calls the shots on US monetary policy

Despite continued pressure by Trump, Powell remains unlikely to cut interest rates any time soon

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as Jerome Powell, his nominee to lead the U.S. Federal Reserve moves to the podium at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 2, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
NEWS ANALYSIS

As Trump and Powell saga plays out, it’s the Fed’s independence that gives it credibility

The US president has vowed to name the next central bank chief soon – an unprecedented move that could roil markets and...

Fed chairman Jerome Powell noted that falling prices in the services and housing sectors give the Fed some confidence that there would not be another inflation crisis.
NEWS ANALYSIS

Fed still in wait-and-see mode, as impact of tariff war is not yet fully felt

The chief of the US central bank says increases in tariffs this year are likely to push up prices and weigh on...

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