Core Viewpoint - The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decided to maintain the Fed funds rate at 3.5%-3.75%, with minimal market reaction, as the S&P 500 closed nearly flat, down 0.01% [1]. Group 1: Economic Assessment by Jerome Powell - Powell indicated that the risks of inflation and unemployment have diminished, although they still persist [4]. - The Fed Chair noted that the labor market is stabilizing, with the unemployment rate around 4.4% in recent months [4]. - Powell suggested that the impact of tariffs has largely been absorbed, although they continue to keep goods inflation above the Fed's 2% target, while services inflation is decreasing [5]. Group 2: Labor Market Insights - Powell expressed optimism regarding the labor market, attributing weak job growth to immigration restrictions affecting both labor supply and demand [6]. - Consumer spending remains strong according to data, despite reports of weak consumer confidence [6]. Group 3: Implications for Investors - Generally, falling interest rates are favorable for stock market investors as they prefer stocks over bonds and benefit from easier borrowing conditions for companies [7]. - However, recessionary conditions often lead to rate cuts, which can negatively impact stock prices [7].

JONATHAN: FOR THE AUDIENCE WORLDWIDE, GOOD AFTERNOON. THE FED DECIDES STARTS RIGHT NOW. >> THIS IS A SPECIAL EDITION OF "BLOOMBERG SURVEILLANCE." WITH JONATHAN FERRO, LISA ABRAMOWICZ AND TOM KEENE."BLOOMBERG SURVEILLANCE: THE FED DECIDES." JONATHAN: HERE WE GO AGAIN. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2026 THE RATE DECISION FROM THE FOMC 27 MINUTES AWAY. 30 MINUTES AFTER THAT, A NEWS CONFERENCE WITH CHAIRMAN POWELL.IT IS FAIR TO SAY THE LEAST ANTICIPATED FED MEETING OF THE LAST 12 MONTHS. TOM: YOU HAVE TAKEN THE KOOL-AI ...

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve has decided to maintain interest rates between 3.5% to 3.75%, despite external pressure for a cut, citing solid economic expansion [1] Group 1: Federal Reserve's Decision - The Fed's decision to keep interest rates unchanged follows three rate cuts last year amid pressure from the White House [1] - The Fed noted that job gains have remained low and the unemployment rate shows signs of stabilization, while inflation is still somewhat elevated [2] Group 2: Political Context - President Trump is expected to announce a replacement for Fed chair Jerome Powell, who has faced criticism for not cutting rates quickly enough [3] - Christopher Waller, a Fed official who voted for a rate cut, is considered a potential replacement for Powell [4] Group 3: Legal and Investigative Issues - Powell has received subpoenas from the Justice Department related to a criminal investigation concerning his congressional testimony about a $2.5 billion building renovation [5] - The White House previously attempted to remove Fed board member Lisa Cook, alleging mortgage fraud, which she has denied [6] Group 4: Market Reactions and Economic Independence - Economists suggest that Trump's pressure on the Fed may have backfired, as Senate Republicans have shown support for Powell and threatened to block any replacement [7] - Recent weeks have been viewed positively for Fed independence, according to Patricia Zobel from Guggenheim Investments [7]

Group 1: Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - The Federal Reserve voted to hold interest rates at a range of 3.5% to 3.75%, which was widely expected following previous cuts [5][9][23] - Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated that there is broad support within the Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) for maintaining the current interest rates, citing a solid economic footing despite elevated inflation [18][20][23] - The decision to keep rates steady is likely to provoke frustration from President Trump, who has criticized Powell for not lowering rates more aggressively [5][9][23] Group 2: Economic Conditions and Inflation - Powell noted that while inflation remains somewhat elevated, the US economy is on a strong footing, with signs of stabilization in the labor market [4][20] - US households are reportedly reducing spending due to affordability concerns, with consumers changing their buying habits [11][12] - The US federal budget deficit is described as being on an unsustainable path, with Powell emphasizing the need for policymakers to address it [18] Group 3: Political Pressure and Fed Independence - The investigation into Powell by US prosecutors is seen as a pretext to undermine the Fed's independence, with Powell warning against political pressure [3][2] - Former Bank of England Governor Lord King expressed concerns that Trump's attacks on the Fed could risk a deep recession [2] - Powell advised his successor to stay out of politics to maintain the Fed's credibility and independence [10][14] Group 4: Market Reactions - Following the Fed's decision to hold rates, US stocks showed mixed reactions, with the S&P 500 briefly surpassing 7,000 points before paring gains [9][16] - The dollar fell to a four-year low amid concerns over the Fed's independence and Trump's comments regarding the currency [25][33] - Gold prices surged to record highs as the dollar weakened, reflecting a shift towards safe-haven assets amid declining confidence in the US currency [76][89]

what extent did the did the committee discuss the possibility of cutting at this meeting or in March. And how are you all thinking about the conditions that would merit another rate cut. Is there broad agreement on the on the committee about what it would take. >> So there was broad support on the committee for holding today broad I would say including among non- voters.So that's where that was. Of course, some people did want to cut and and and dissented, but committee pretty broadly for for for holding to ...

🚨 The FOMC decision is in: Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady at 3.5%-3.75%Vibe check 👇 ...

So what extent did the committee discuss the possibility of cutting at this meeting or in March. And how are you all thinking about the conditions that would merit another rate cut. Is there broad agreement on on the committee about what it would take. So there was broad support on the committee for holding.Today, broad, I would say, including among non-voters. So that's where that was. Of course, some people did want to cut and and dissented.But committee pretty broadly four four for holding today. We're n ...

RT CryptoBizzle (@CryptoBizzle)The Fed decided to hold rates steady.No surprise there with CME pricing in ~98% chance of no change since Monday.Major cryptocurrencies barely moved.Attention is shifting beyond rates to Fed leadership, with prediction markets seeing a shake-up late last week as Rick Rieder overtook Kevin Warsh as the frontrunner to replace Jerome Powell in May.Read more below 👇 ...

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve has decided to keep interest rates unchanged, indicating a shift in the assessment of employment and inflation risks, which have reportedly diminished [1] Group 1 - Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell highlighted that the risks associated with employment have lessened, suggesting a more stable labor market [1] - Inflation risks have also decreased, which may influence future monetary policy decisions [1] - The decision to maintain interest rates reflects a cautious approach to economic conditions, balancing growth and inflation [1]

>> LIVE FROM WASHINGTON, D. C. , THIS IS "BALANCE OF POWER," WITH JOE MATHIEU.JOE: AS WE COUNT DOWN TO THE FED, WELCOME TO THE WEDNESDAY EDITION WITH AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON INTEREST RATES POLICY STATEMENT JUST ABOUT ONE HOUR AWAY. WE WILL TALK ABOUT EXPECTATIONS FOR CATHERINE EDWARDS FROM BLOOMBERG OPINION AND GET A LIVE REPORT FROM TYLER KENDALL ON CAPITOL HILL WITH ONLY THREE DAYS TO A LIKELY PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. ANALYSIS FROM OUR POLITICAL PANEL, RICK DAVIS AND JEANNE SHEEHAN ZAINO ARE WITH US.FED DA ...