Tag: Inflation

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half a point in September, the first cut since 2020. The Federal interest rate sits between 4.75% and 5%, hopefully mitigating the effects of high inflation and offering individuals and businesses a bit of relief. Despite this recent cut, the interest rate is nearly double the pre-pandemic rate.

Inflation levels remain above the Federal Reserve’s target rate of 2%. The latest figures show U.S. inflation sitting at 3.36%, but business and consumer sentiment would suggest that prices are much higher. After falling for much of last year, inflation accelerated again at the start of 2024, reducing the likelihood of early rate cuts. The Fed’s next interest-rate meeting is set for June 11, and the overwhelming consensus of economists is that there will be no rate cuts from the current level of 5.25% to 5.5%.

The Turkish government has struggled to tame inflation for the past year. Inflation sits at 70% despite an interest rate of 50% from Turkey’s central bank. Why it matters: Turkey may be forced to sacrifice economic growth as it tries to lower inflation.

The March consumer price index (CPI) showed a 3.5% increase compared to March 2023—while the probability of a June rate cut has quickly plunged from 56% to 17%. Though March’s inflation reading was significantly down from the pandemic-era peak in 2022 (the highest level since 1981), it remains above the Fed’s overall target of 2%.

The outlook for Asia and the Pacific in 2024 has brightened: we now expect that the region’s economy will slow less than we previously projected as inflation pressures continue to dissipate.