NonilexMar 18

#FederalReserve holds #InterestRates steady as #Iran #war upends the economic outlook.

The decision marks the second meeting in a row in which the #CentralBank has opted against a policy move, instead voting to keep rates unchanged at a range of 3.5% to 3.75%. Stephen I. Miran, a governor appointed by #Trump last year, issued his fifth straight dissent & voted for a quarter-point cut.

#inflation #economy #affordability #CostOfLiving #oil #energy #EnergyCrisis
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/03/18/business/federal-reserve-interest-rates?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Live Updates: Federal Reserve Maintains Interest Rates and Watches Risks From Iran War

Jerome H. Powell, the chair, said he would stay at the Fed until a successor is in place and a federal investigation is concluded.

The New York Times
Show threadNonilexMar 18

Officials gathered for their latest meeting as the #war with #Iran stretched into its third week. In its policy statement on Wednesday, the #FederalReserve said the economic implications from the conflict were “uncertain.”

#TrumpsWar #US #Trump #law #Congress #WarPowers #geopolitics #MiddleEast #inflation #economy #affordability #CostOfLiving #oil #energy #EnergyCrisis
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20260318a.htm

Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement

Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has been little

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Show threadNonilexMar 18

The extent of the economic fallout from the #MiddleEast #war depends on how long it lasts & the trajectory of #oil #prices, which have spiked to $110 a barrel, according to the international Brent crude benchmark. As of Wednesday, #gasoline prices in the #US had risen to $3.80 a gallon, a roughly 30% increase since the start of the war & the highest level since 2023.

#TrumpsWar #Trump #law #Congress #geopolitics #MiddleEast #inflation #economy #affordability #CostOfLiving #energy #EnergyCrisis

Show threadNonilexMar 18

A surge in #prices of this magnitude is already expected to lift #inflation & dent growth, as #business & #consumers adjust to significantly higher #energy-related expenses. But the costs will compound the longer the conflict drags on, raising the possibility of persistent price pressures or an economic downturn.

#TrumpsWar #US #Iran #war #Trump #law #Congress #WarPowers #geopolitics #MiddleEast #economy #affordability #CostOfLiving #oil #EnergyCrisis

Show threadNonilexMar 18

The combination of the two is particularly hazardous for the #FederalReserve, which is responsible for maintaining low, stable #inflation & a healthy #labor market. Taking steps to tame inflation against this backdrop could portend sharply higher #unemployment, while shoring up the labor market risks exacerbating the central bank’s inflation problem.

#TrumpsWar #US #Trump #law #Congress #WarPowers #geopolitics #MiddleEast #economy #affordability #CostOfLiving #oil #energy #EnergyCrisis

Show threadGuillotine Jones, Flâneur
@Nonilex
"Taking steps to tame inflation against this backdrop could portend sharply higher #unemployment, while shoring up the labor market risks exacerbating the central bank’s inflation problem."
Federal Reserve-speak for, "damned if we do, damned if we don't," Nonilex.
Mar 18 at 9:11pmWeb