The Fed is expected to cut rates this week — even while the government is shut down

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve is expected to announce a quarter-point interest rate cut during its October meeting, despite the ongoing government shutdown, with a projected 98% chance of this reduction [1][3]. Economic Context - The government shutdown has resulted in the Bureau of Labor Statistics not publishing the September jobs report, and inflation data has been delayed, complicating the Fed's decision-making process [2][4]. - Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated that the labor market is no longer in solid condition, which is a shift from earlier in the year when job creation was strong [4]. Inflation and Economic Indicators - Inflation remains above the Fed's target at 3% as of September, which is a slight decrease from the previous forecast of 3.1% [5][3]. - Consumer sentiment has declined, indicating that Americans are feeling the pressure of high prices and limited job opportunities, which may lead to reduced spending [12]. Labor Market Trends - Job openings have decreased, and unemployment is rising, suggesting that the labor market is not keeping pace with the number of job seekers [11]. - Powell noted a marked slowing in both the supply and demand for workers, advocating for a less restrictive monetary policy [11]. Rate Cut Implications - A pattern of rate cuts could provide relief to consumers, particularly those with mortgages, auto loans, and credit card debt, as these rates typically fluctuate with the federal funds rate [14][15]. - Financial analysts expect that even if inflation data comes in as expected, the Fed will prioritize the deteriorating labor market conditions over inflation concerns [10][9].