The Federal Reserve made its final decision of 2025, cutting interest rates for the third meeting in a row — and it set the tone for where interest rates will go in the new year.
The call will have ripple effects across consumer prices, the job market, and Corporate America through 2026 and beyond. Here’s how the decision will affect you.
Thirty-year fixed mortgages, two-year auto loans, and credit card rates tend to fluctuate alongside the federal funds rate. And, while inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% goal, mortgage rates have largely cooled in recent months in anticipation of rate reductions.
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A quarter-point cut could mean lower returns on investment for savers using high-yield savings accounts or certificates of deposit, though it would become cheaper to pay off credit cards. Lower rates would also make home equity lines and small business loans more accessible to Americans.
Elizabeth Renter, senior economist at NerdWallet, told Business Insider the cut could be a positive sign for people applying to roles in the sluggish labor market: If job seekers “hear that the Fed is responding to an unfavorable labor market, that’s going to feel good to them; they may feel like relief is on the horizon,” she said.
The labor market has shown signs of weakness in recent months. Job seekers of all ages have told Business Insider that they’ve been through grueling application cycles without an offer, while recruiters are drowning in resumés. Over the summer, the number of Americans looking for work eclipsed the number of available jobs and labor force participation has been trending downward. The unemployment rate, however, is still relatively low, hovering a little above 4% for most of this year.
Sustained rate cuts would bolster the job market by making it easier for businesses to borrow and invest money. This would free up more funds for companies to hire and pay employees, which could lead to higher consumer spending — all factors needed for a healthy economy.
And lower interest rates are historically good news for the stock market. When it’s cheaper to borrow money and approve loans, both companies and individuals are more likely to invest. With more funds in the market, Wall Street could see a boost in 2026.
Madison Hoff contributed reporting.
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