The Bank of Russia may pause its key rate-cutting cycle at its upcoming meeting, influenced by recent domestic fuel market events impacting inflation dynamics and rising inflation expectations, according to experts.
New Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh affirmed the central bank's independence and commitment to bringing down inflation, signaling a departure from President Trump's calls for lower rates. He declined to offer forward guidance on specific policy moves, despite market expectations of a September rate hike.
New Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh stated the central bank will remain independent and prioritize bringing down inflation, likely disappointing President Donald Trump's calls for lower interest rates. Warsh's comments, made in Portugal, suggest a shift from his previous stance.
Bitcoin's price dropped below $60,000, reaching its lowest since October 2024, as traders abandoned interest-rate cut expectations and began pricing in a potential Federal Reserve hike. This led to a cascading liquidation event across the broader crypto market, with over $1 billion in derivatives contracts forcefully closed.
UK inflation held steady at 2.8% in May, defying expectations of a rise. This suggests the Middle East conflict's impact on living costs may be less severe than feared, despite high fuel prices. Economists are downgrading inflation forecasts and questioning future interest rate hikes.
US inflation remains high at 4.2% in May, driven by energy prices due to geopolitical tensions. Prediction markets show a 79% chance of no Fed rate cuts in 2026, impacting cryptocurrencies which historically perform better with accommodative monetary policy.
A reported US-Iran deal framework could ease oil prices and inflation, boosting Bitcoin. However, the rally is conditional on physical energy data, inflation readings, and Fed policy confirmation, not just geopolitical optimism.
Federal Reserve April meeting minutes revealed a hawkish shift, with policymakers indicating potential tightening if inflation persists above 2%. This dashed Bitcoin traders' hopes for rate cuts, as the market now prices in a higher likelihood of hikes, impacting liquidity and risk appetite for assets like BTC.
Market analyst Lawrence Lepard predicts new Fed chair Kevin Warsh will cut interest rates in 2026, citing AI productivity and transitory inflation, despite market consensus for hikes. President Trump's focus on "growth" and managing national debt also suggests a lower rate regime.
Kevin Warsh has been sworn in as the new Chair of the US Federal Reserve (Fed). President Donald Trump expressed confidence in Warsh's ability to restore trust in the institution and focus on economic growth, while also reiterating his expectation of upcoming interest rate cuts.
Kevin Warsh was sworn in as the new chairman of the US Federal Reserve on Friday. Despite President Trump's claims of economic growth and independence for the Fed, investors anticipate no interest rate cuts in 2026, with some forecasting potential hikes.
Kevin Warsh was sworn in as the new leader of the US Federal Reserve on Friday, a pivotal moment for monetary policy and the American economy. Accompanied by his wife, Jane Lauder, Warsh took the oath administered by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Despite President Trump's appointment of Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve chair, analysts suggest immediate interest rate cuts are unlikely due to rising inflation. Market sentiment favors a potential rate hike later this year, with long-term bond yields already at a 17-year high.
Mainland Chinese investors reduced their holdings of US Treasury bills in March due to global market uncertainties, including the US-Israel war on Iran, which fueled inflation and energy price concerns, analysts said.
Oil prices dipped slightly as investors monitored the fragile ceasefire in the Iran conflict and awaited the Trump-Xi Jinping meeting, despite ongoing supply disruptions and elevated prices above $100/barrel.
US employers added a robust 115,000 jobs in April, surpassing expectations despite global economic uncertainty from the Iran conflict. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%. Healthcare and transportation sectors saw significant hiring, while manufacturing experienced job cuts. This resilient labor market suggests the Federal Reserve may hold off on interest rate cuts as inflation remains a concern.
AWS CEO Matt Garman says Amazon is hiring 11,000 software development engineer interns and early-career hires in 2026, pushing back on fears that AI is eliminating software engineering jobs. His comments come after Amazon's two biggest layoff rounds in six months—30,000-plus corporate cuts in total—and amid warnings from other tech leaders that AI coding tools are fundamentally disrupting the profession. Garman acknowledges the role is changing, but insists demand for developers is accelerating.
No rate cuts are coming any time soon, Big Tech earnings gave AI bulls more to work with, and Meta is back in crypto payments with USDC creator payouts.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced he will remain on the rate-setting board after his term ends May 15, defying Trump demands for rate cuts. The Fed held interest rates unchanged for the third time this year, citing elevated inflation and slow job growth. Meanwhile, the Senate banking committee confirmed Kevin Warsh as Powell's potential successor, who is expected to be more amenable to Trump's rate cut calls. Powell cited ongoing investigations into Fed renovations as reason to stay.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced he will remain on the rate-setting board after his term ends May 15, citing ongoing investigations into Fed renovations. The Fed held interest rates unchanged for the third time this year, citing elevated inflation and slow job growth, despite continued pressure from Trump for rate cuts. The Senate banking committee confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair, who is expected to be more amenable to Trump's rate cut demands.
Jerome Powell is expected to lead the Federal Reserve to another interest rate pause at what may be his final meeting as chair, with stubborn 3% inflation and a resilient labor market leaving no room for cuts. Markets are pricing a 100% chance of the FOMC staying on hold. The decision comes against a backdrop of elevated energy prices with crude oil around $100/barrel and gasoline at $4.18/gallon. Kevin Warsh appears on track to succeed Powell when his term ends in May, though Powell could remain as a governor for two more years.
Billionaire investor Ray Dalio warns the US has entered a stagflationary environment with persistent inflation and slowing growth. He advises against rate cuts if Kevin Warsh becomes Fed chair, saying such a move would damage central bank credibility. Dalio recommends a 5% to 15% allocation to gold as a diversifier.
Trump's Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh faces significant obstacles to delivering rate cuts, despite Trump's expectations. Inflation has spiked to 3.3% due to rising gas prices from the Iran war that began Feb. 28, and most of the 12-member Fed rate-setting committee has indicated reluctance to cut rates. Warsh must also overcome questions about his political independence from Trump and establish credibility with fellow policymakers, with Wall Street not expecting cuts until October 2027 at the earliest.
Credit flows through India's formal loan systems surged 38% in FY26 to ₹44.6 lakh crore, recovering from an 8% contraction in FY25. The revival was driven by RBI's policy rate cuts of 125 basis points since February 2025, CRR reduction of 100 basis points, and ₹8.8 lakh crore liquidity infusion. Outstanding financial resources for the commercial sector crossed ₹300 lakh crore for the first time, reaching ₹311.8 lakh crore, while lending rates fell to 9% from 9.87% a year earlier.
