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Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Steady, Still Projects One Rate Cut in 2026
Fed holds rates at 3.50%-3.75% amid inflation risks from Iran conflict and projects one rate cut in 2026 despite labor market weakness, officials said.
- On Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee voted 11–1 to keep the federal funds rate at 3.5%–3.75%, marking the central bank's second consecutive pause in 2026.
- The conflict with Iran, which began February 28, 2026, roiled global energy markets and increased inflation risks as policymakers navigated rising wholesale prices and geopolitical uncertainty.
- Weak labor data showed the U.S. shed 92,000 jobs in February, raising unemployment to 4.4%, yet officials maintained their projection for one rate cut this year despite sticky inflation.
- Fed Chair Jerome Powell faces leadership transition as his term expires May 15, with President Donald Trump nominating former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to succeed him despite ongoing legal investigations.
- Economists caution that energy shocks and geopolitical instability could keep borrowing costs elevated, with future rate cuts dependent on whether the conflict resolves and inflation pressures recede.
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Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged | KNX News 97.1 FM
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·Philadelphia, United States
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Fed Holds Rates Steady as Labor Market Softens, Iran War Adds Uncertainty
WASHINGTON – The Federal Reserve on Wednesday left interest rates unchanged, opting to hold its benchmark federal funds rate at 3.5 percent to 3.75 percent as policymakers weighed a softening labor market, persistent inflation, and growing uncertainty tied to the war in Iran. The decision came after the central bank held rates steady in January, [...] The post Fed Holds Rates Steady as Labor Market Softens, Iran War Adds Uncertainty appeared fir…
(New York = Yonhap News) Correspondent Lee Ji-heon = The U.S. central bank, the Federal Reserve (Fed), held its monetary policy decision-making body, the Federal Open Market Committee (FO...) on the 18th (local time)
·Korea (the Republic of)
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources253
Leaning Left33Leaning Right37Center88Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 21%
C 56%
R 23%
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