Group 1 - The Federal Reserve has lowered the federal funds rate by 25 basis points, marking its first rate cut of the year, and hinted at an additional 50 basis points cut by the end of the year, slightly above June's forecast [1] - The European Central Bank has maintained its interest rates for the second consecutive meeting, with the president stating that economic risks have become more balanced, leading to expectations that the ECB's rate cut cycle is nearing its end [1] - The Bank of Canada has reduced its key interest rate to 2.5%, the lowest in three years, citing a weak job market and easing inflation pressures, with a 40% chance of another cut next month [1] Group 2 - The Reserve Bank of Australia has a low probability of a rate cut in September at 20%, but a higher probability of 70% in November, as inflation remains above target levels [2] - The Bank of England has kept its rates unchanged, with a 40% chance of a cut by the end of the year, while the New Zealand Reserve Bank has recently cut rates to a three-year low of 3% [2] - The Swiss National Bank is expected to maintain its rate at 0%, despite the chairman indicating a potential return to negative rates, which would require a high threshold [2] Group 3 - The Bank of Japan has kept its short-term policy rate unchanged at 0.5% and announced plans to sell ETFs, with internal committee disagreements seen as a potential hawkish signal [3]