The US Federal Reserve, popularly known as the Fed, has reduced its key lending rate by half a percentage point, marking the first cut since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, just weeks ahead of November’s presidential election.
The decision, made by a vote of 11-to-1, lowers the benchmark lending rate to a range of 4.75 to 5.00 percent, as announced in a statement from the Fed.
Additionally, the Fed signaled plans for another half-point reduction before the year’s end, with a further one percentage point decrease expected in 2025.
This move is likely to reduce borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, impacting interest rates on mortgages, credit cards, and other loans just as the election approaches, according to reports.
The Fed stated that its rate-setting committee “has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent” and believes that the risks to achieving both employment and inflation targets are balanced.
Stating that the US economy is in good shape, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said, “It’s growing at a solid pace, inflation is coming down, and the labour market is in a strong place. We want to keep it there.”
With its dual mandate from Congress, the central bank is tasked with managing inflation and employment.
In updated economic projections, the Fed anticipates an average unemployment rate of 4.4 percent in the fourth quarter of this year, up from the 4.0 percent projected in June.
The annual inflation rate is now forecast to be 2.3 percent, slightly below previous estimates.
However, the rate cut will lower borrowing costs by reducing the interest rates at which commercial banks lend to businesses and consumers, making home loans, auto loans, and other types of credit more affordable.
