US Fed makes larger half-point cut in first rate reduction since 2020

The seal of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is seen ahead of a press conference by US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting at the Federal Reserve in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2024. (Mandel NGAN / AFP)
The seal of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is seen ahead of a press conference by US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting at the Federal Reserve in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2024. (Mandel NGAN / AFP)

The US Federal Reserve cut its key lending rate by half a percentage-point in its first reduction since the pandemic, sharply lowering borrowing costs shortly before November’s presidential election.

Policymakers voted 11-to-1 in favor of lowering the US central bank’s benchmark lending rate to between 4.75% and 5.00%, the Fed announced in a statement. They also penciled in an additional half-point of cuts before the end of the year.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.