What happened at the last FOMC meeting?

6 minutes ago

If the Fed lowers its key rate today, it will only be the second time since 2020.

At its last meeting in September, the committee reduced the federal funds rate by 50 basis points for the first time in four years. The move kicked off what is expected to be a campaign of rate cuts aimed at reducing the cost of borrowing and stimulating the economy.

The move surprised some Fed observers and not all policymakers agreed with the decision. Fed Governor Michelle Bowman voted for a more modest cut of 25 basis points.

Read more about the latest Federal Reserve meeting here.

What to expect from the Federal Reserve’s November meeting

31 minutes ago

Investors and economists are keeping Federal Reserve officials at their word for their November meeting.

In their speeches leading up to a “blackout period” beginning October 26, Fed officials indicated that gradual reductions in interest rates over the next few months were in order, and none of the major economic data released since then has been surprising enough to upend that perception, economists say.

That leaves economists and traders confident the Federal Reserve will lower its benchmark federal funds rate by a quarter point when it makes its decision Thursday.

Learn more about what to expect from today’s meeting here.