With signs of a weakening job market, the Federal Reserve is widely expected to lower its key interest rate by a quarter of a point on Wednesday, its first cut in nine months.
The change won’t have a significant effect on consumers’ financial lives, but it may provide a tiny bit of relief for people carrying credit card debt, while savers may see slightly less generous yields.
The more consequential issue is whether the Fed will continue to maintain its long-held independence under the norm-busting pressure from President Trump, who has assailed the Fed chair, Jerome H. Powell, urging him to resign, while attempting to oust Lisa Cook, a Fed governor.
Mr. Trump has repeatedly said he wants rates to fall more swiftly, but politicizing the Fed can be disastrous for the broader economy, consumers and the credibility of the American institution worldwide.
Here is where various interest rates stand now.
Auto Rates
What’s happening now: Auto rates have been largely stable but remain elevated, while new car prices are slowly beginning to rise. But tariffs are soon expected to push them up more sharply.
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The post What the Fed’s Rate Decision Means for Your Finances appeared first on New York Times.
