Economist Doug Duncan weighs in on the challenges facing economic forecasters today, cutbacks in economic reports produced by Fannie and Freddie, Fed independence, and more. Continue reading
The next Fed chair may be more receptive to the president’s calls for rate cuts, but they’ll have to convince other central bank policymakers to give up their independence. Continue reading
A vote to reappoint 11 of the Fed’s 12 regional bank presidents puts an end to speculation that Trump administration might try to unseat inflation hawks opposed to interest rate cuts. Continue reading
The 9-3 split vote reflects differing views on whether the central bank’s biggest worry is inflation or rising unemployment, with data lagging after the government shutdown. Continue reading
The president jokingly told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that his job is also on the line if interest rates don’t come down, as poll shows inflation will be a key issue in 2026 midterm elections. Continue reading
After hitting a 2025 low on Oct. 28, mortgage rates continue to rise as hopes dim for a December Fed rate cut. Futures market investors on Wednesday saw only a 34 percent chance of a Dec. 10 rate cut, down from 94 percent in October. Continue reading
The resignation of Biden appointee Adriana Kugler and pending retirement of Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic renews speculation that Trump will seek to undermine Fed independence. Continue reading
The Treasury Secretary blamed the Federal Reserve for the current housing recession and said that if the central bank cut interest rates more quickly, the recession could end. Continue reading
In predicting that mortgage rates will drop below 6 percent next year, economists at Fannie Mae are more optimistic about growth and less worried about inflation than their colleagues at the Mortgage Bankers Association. Continue reading
Recent Trump appointee Stephen Miran was the lone dissenter in Wednesday’s 11-1 vote, holding out for a bigger, 1/2 percentage point rate cut advocated by the president. Continue reading