Fed Cuts Interest Rates by a Half Point

Washington, DC, September 18, 2024-“The Federal Reserve voted to lower interest rates by a half percentage point, opting for a bolder start in making its first reduction since 2020. The long-anticipated pivot followed an all-out fight against inflation the central bank launched two years ago,” reports the Wall Street Journal.

“Eleven of 12 Fed voters backed the cut, which will bring the benchmark federal-funds rate to a range between 4.75% and 5%. Quarterly projections released Wednesday showed a narrow majority of officials penciled in cuts that would lower rates by at least a quarter point each at meetings in November and December.

“The decision to trim rates by a larger amount than most analysts anticipated until just a few days ago moved the central bank unwaveringly into a new phase of its inflation battle: It is now trying to prevent past rate increases, which last year took borrowing costs to a two-decade high, from further weakening the U.S. labor market.

“‘We are committed to maintaining our economy’s strength,’ Fed chair Jerome Powell said at a news conference. ‘This decision reflects our growing confidence that with an appropriate recalibration of our policy stance, strength in the labor market can be maintained.’”