What to expect from January's Fed meeting as Powell faces looming DOJ probe

The Federal Reserve will make its first rate decision of the year on Wednesday — and all eyes are on Chair Jerome Powell. The central bank's leaders have a near-total chance of holding rates steady this week, according to market-based projections from CME FedWatch. After three cuts in 2025, the Fed has penciled in one rate cut for the new year. In the long run, these rate decisions will affect the job market, consumer prices, and corporate America.But there's a shadow over January's Fed meeting: The Depart ...