Fed Ditches 'Data Dependent'

  • U.S. equity markets posted a second-straight week of declines after the U.S. Federal Reserve indicated that it remains in "no rush" to ease its "modestly restrictive" policy stance. Raising questions on whether the Fed can continue to claim itself "data dependent," Fed Chair Powell dismissed recent economic data while doubling-down on forecasts of "meaningful" tariff-driven inflation. Benchmark interest rates ticked lower this week as traders digested the Federal Reserve's rate decision alongside a generally downbeat slate of economic data and heightened geopolitical uncertainty.