by Richard Roberts | Jan 1, 2026 | FOMC, Inflation, Monetary Policy
The 2025 Pivot: What Actually Changed The Federal Reserve’s defining move in 2025 came in three installments: back-to-back 25 basis point cuts in September, October, and December that brought the federal funds rate down to 3.50–3.75%—its lowest level since 2022....
by Richard Roberts | Nov 8, 2025 | FOMC, General, Inflation, Monetary Policy
On October 29, the Federal Reserve delivered its second 25-basis-point cut since September, lowering the federal funds rate target to 3.75%–4.00%. Moreover, the Fed announced it will halt balance-sheet reduction on December 1, a move that signals a formal pause in...
by Richard Roberts | Oct 23, 2025 | FOMC, General, Inflation, Monetary Policy
Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic spent much of the post-pandemic period supporting accommodative monetary policies to aid economic recovery. But persistent inflation, lingering tariff effects, and structural shifts in the labor market have prompted a notable turn:...
by Richard Roberts | Jan 11, 2025 | FOMC, General, Inflation, Monetary Policy
The U.S. economy is walking a tightrope. A fragile balance lies beneath the surface of robust labor market performance and sustained consumer spending, where persistent inflation, frothy asset markets, a growing budget deficit, and looming uncertainties could ignite a...
by Richard Roberts | Sep 28, 2024 | FOMC, General, Inflation, Monetary Policy
In a surprising move last week, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 50 basis points, citing unconvincing and vague concerns about labor market cracks as the primary rationale. As I discussed in my recent MNI Podcast episode, FedSpeak: 50bp Not New Easing...
by Richard Roberts | May 11, 2024 | FOMC, General, Inflation, Monetary Policy
Monetary policy isn’t just about interest rates but the delicate dance of expectations and reality. In my recent op-ed for The Hill, I delve into how Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s messaging creates paradoxical outcomes that influence everything from inflation...
