Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve heavily influences the American economy.  Every six weeks the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) gathers to determine the correct course for monetary policy; they do this by setting the Fed Funds Rate (the amount charged for overnight loans between banks).  In short, they are trying to strike a balance between controlling inflation and supporting the labor market

While they are not duking it out like King Arthur and the Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, President Donald Trump and Federal Open Market Committee Chair Jerome Powel appear to be at odds.  Both sides are searching for their own holy grail, and their paths keep crossing.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell addressed the press Wednesday following the Federal Open Market Committee’s decision to keep the overnight interest rate unchanged.  During the Q&A, he offered an assessment of the economic outlook in light of recent tariff increases.  Powell emphasized that while the U.S.

Jury duty is a civic responsibility where citizens are randomly selected to serve as jurors in legal trials.  Having served as a jury foreman about a decade ago, I can attest to the deliberative process Americans are fortunate to have when considering the facts of important moments in the lives of the parties involved in a case.  As of this writing, I just finished my day of jury duty

Last week Atlas sent a note called How Did We Get Here?

Tour guides are useful when exploring unfamiliar territories.  They can help make sure a trip accomplishes desired outcomes while making sure travelers avoid places where calamitous outcomes are more likely.  While they cannot directly prevent spoiled vacations, they help improve the odds that one will be enjoyed.

Imagine the Federal Reserve as a skilled dancer, gracefully navigating the dance floor of the economy.  Right now, they’re performing a delicate waltz, trying to keep in step with a weakening labor market and persistent inflation that refuses to approach their two percent target.

Imagine the Federal Reserve as a skilled dancer, gracefully navigating the dance floor of the economy.  Right now, they’re performing a delicate waltz, trying to keep in step with a weakening labor market and persistent inflation that refuses to approach their two percent target.

On Wednesday, America’s central bank made its first downward adjustment to its Federal Funds Rate since the pandemic was just getting started back in March 2020.  This interest rate is what banks charge each other for overnight loans when their cash reserves aren’t adequate to meet weekly regulatory requirements.  While it does not impact other rates directly, the Fed Fund

Last week in this space Atlas noted the dramatic revisions to employment figures originally published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Click here to revisit it.