US Fed Meeting LIVE Updates: S&P 500 and Nasdaq slip ahead of Fed decision and Powell’s interest rate speech

US Fed Meeting LIVE Updates: The US Federal Reserve is set to announce its first monetary policy decision of 2025 on Wednesday (January 29) with expectations firmly pointing to an unchanged federal funds rate in the 4.25%-4.50% range. This will be the central bank’s first decision since Donald Trump took office as the 47th US President on January 20.

Policymakers are likely to maintain rates as they assess the trajectory of inflation and the impact of the new administration’s economic policies. In December 2024, the Fed cut interest rates by 25 basis points following three consecutive reductions since September. However, with inflation still above the 2% target, officials are expected to adopt a wait-and-watch approach.

The decision will be announced after the conclusion of the Fed’s two-day meeting, with Chair Jerome Powell set to address the media at 2:30 p.m. local time (12:30 a.m. IST, Thursday). Powell’s remarks will be closely scrutinized for signals on future rate cuts and the Fed’s economic outlook.

Credit data and lending trends are also expected to be key considerations in the meeting. While economic growth remains solid, borrowing costs remain elevated, adding to the uncertainty around the pace of future monetary easing.