Ahead of the New Year's holiday, President Donald Trump said he will make a decision on who he wants to lead the Federal Reserve by January.  Current Chair Jerome Powell's term expires in May 2026, and he has made it clear he will fulfill his obligation running the central bank. This week, Trump continued his verbal assault of Powell, who he again called "too late" for failing to cut interest rates at a faster pace. He also called him "a fool" and criticized him for the renovation of the Fed's Washington, D ...

clarify something for me on on the Federal Reserve. How many people are you interviewing for the Fed chairman and what did you think of Chris Waller. The >> I think he's great. I mean, he's a been a man who's been there a long time. Somebody that I was very involved with and sense of his career and he's a fantastic man.I met him yesterday again. >> So, how many people are you looking at. >> Uh, we're talking to three or four.Uh, I think every one of them would be a good choice. Honestly, we'll be making we' ...

On Friday, the president told telling the Wall Street Journal he was leaning towards [music] choosing Hasset for former Federal Reserve uh and Governor Worsh also potentially to run the Fed. Steve Leeman joins us now on more with some commentary on the two Kevin. Who do what do you think.Poly Market says Hasset. Are you on the Hasset end or on the worst end. >> I I'm on either end. I'm on the end of trying to report what's going on.>> Well, I'm not saying what you're who you who you'd like. I'm saying but t ...

Economic Outlook - The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points next week, with investors looking ahead to the rate path in 2026 [1][13] - If the inflation picture improves, further rate cuts could lead to a bullish stock market, with projections for the S&P 500 to reach between 7,000 and 8,000 by the end of next year [14][15] Federal Reserve Leadership - Kevin Hassett is considered a strong candidate to replace Jerome Powell as Fed Chair, with expectations that he would focus on economic growth rather than aggressive rate hikes [3][4][5] - Hassett's approach is anticipated to prioritize price stability and full employment, moving away from the current Fed's focus on controlling inflation through rate increases [5][12] Consumer Behavior - Recent data indicates that consumers are actively shopping, as evidenced by the popularity of retail apps like Walmart and Best Buy during the holiday season [17][18] - The consumer sentiment appears to be optimistic about the economy's growth potential in 2026, with expectations of a 3 to 4% growth rate and improved job market conditions [20][21] Market Dynamics - The current economic environment is characterized by a booming economy with GDP growth rates around 3.9%, which is significantly higher than the previous 1-2% range [15] - The Fed's actions in raising rates have contributed to an affordability crisis for consumers, impacting their ability to manage debt and loans [12]

Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, speaks to members of the media outside the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Francis Chung | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump knows who he's going to select as the next Federal Reserve chair but isn't saying yet. Prediction markets have their minds made up, but the front-runner also is playing it coy.While that part of the mystery appears ready to clear up in the coming weeks, what's far less certain is the ty ...

Group 1: US-China Trade Relations - President Trump announced a visit to Beijing in April following a phone call with Chinese President Xi, focusing on China's commitment to purchase US soybeans while the US lowers tariffs on China [1] - China is on schedule to purchase a minimum of 87 million metric tons of soybeans over the next three and a half years, indicating a positive trajectory in trade relations [1] - The US maintains its position on Taiwan and emphasizes the need for cooperation on the Ukraine conflict, suggesting a complex but stable relationship between the two nations [1] Group 2: Diplomatic Engagements - President Trump and President Xi are set to have multiple meetings throughout the year, including state visits and participation in international summits, which is expected to enhance stability in US-China relations [2] - The ongoing dialogue and high-level meetings are viewed as beneficial for both American citizens and the global economy, highlighting the importance of diplomatic engagement [2] Group 3: Federal Reserve Chair Selection - The selection process for a new Federal Reserve chair is ongoing, with five strong candidates being considered, reflecting the complexity of the Fed's operations beyond simple monetary policy [4][5] - The interplay between monetary policy, balance sheet management, and regulatory policy is a key focus in the selection criteria, indicating a shift in the Fed's operational dynamics [5] - An announcement regarding the new Fed chair is anticipated before Christmas, with the final interview still pending, suggesting a timely resolution to the selection process [7]

(Bloomberg) -- BlackRock Inc. executive Rick Rieder is rising up the list of contenders to serve as the next chair of the Federal Reserve after Jerome Powell’s term expires in May, according to an administration official. In a wide-ranging interview that lasted for two hours on Friday in New York, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Rieder discussed monetary policy, the Fed’s organizational structure and regulatory policy, the person said, who requested anonymity to discuss a private meeting. Bessent ha ...