Tariff ‘drag’ will slow GDP growth to 1.6% this year: Conference Board

Group 1 - The Federal Reserve has reduced the benchmark interest rate by a quarter point to a range between 4% and 4.25% due to a softening labor market [3][4] - Payroll job gains have slowed significantly to an average of 29,000 per month over the past three months, indicating a weaker job market [3][4] - The Fed forecasts two more quarter-point cuts in interest rates this year, with a projected federal funds rate of 3.6% by the end of 2025 [4] Group 2 - The Conference Board predicts GDP growth will be 1.6% this year, impacted by high tariffs and a decline in new orders and consumer expectations [5][6] - Unemployment is expected to rise from 4.3% to 4.5% by the end of this year, before easing slightly in the following years [5] - The personal consumption expenditures price index, excluding food and energy, is projected to decrease from 3.1% this year to 2.6% next year, reaching the Fed's 2% target by 2028 [5]