Powell Makes Case for Keeping Politics Out of Fed (Full Q&A)

Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged but downgraded their view of the US economy, a sign policymakers could be edging closer to lowering borrowing costs.

“Although swings in net exports continue to affect the data, recent indicators suggest that growth of economic activity moderated in the first half of the year,” officials said in a post-meeting statement. The Fed had previously characterized growth as expanding “at a solid pace.”

The Federal Open Market Committee voted 9-2 on Wednesday to hold the benchmark federal funds rate in a range of 4.25%-4.5%, as they have at each of their meetings this year. Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman voted against the decision in favor of a quarter-point cut. In the q & a, Powell said he thinks it's important for the central bank to maintain its independence

--------

Watch Bloomberg Radio LIVE on YouTube

Weekdays 7am-6pm ET

Follow us on X

Subscribe to our Podcasts:

Bloomberg Daybreak

Bloomberg Surveillance

Bloomberg Intelligence

Balance of Power

Bloomberg Businessweek

Listen on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the Bloomberg Business app:

Apple CarPlay

Android Auto

Visit our YouTube channels:

Bloomberg Podcasts

Bloomberg Television

Bloomberg Originals