With the end of their two-year fight against inflation in sight, Federal Reserve officials are likely July 31 to set the stage for the first cut to their key interest rate in four years, a major shift in policy that could eventually lower borrowing costs for U.S. consumers and businesses.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve’s favored inflation measure remained low last month, setting the stage for the Fed to begin cutting interest rates this fall.

WASHINGTON — Inflation in the United States eased in May for a second straight month, a hopeful sign that a pickup in prices that occurred early this year may have passed. 

WASHINGTON — America’s employers added a vigorous 272,000 jobs in May, accelerating from April and a sign that companies are still confident enough in the economy to keep hiring.

WASHINGTON — A price gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve cooled slightly last month, a sign that inflation may be easing after running high in the first three months of this year.

WASHINGTON — Consumer inflation in the U.S. cooled slightly last month after three elevated readings, likely offering a tentative sigh of relief for officials at the Federal Reserve.

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cautioned April 16 that persistently elevated inflation will likely delay any Fed interest rate cuts until later this year.

WASHINGTON — Consumer sentiment about the U.S. economy has ticked down but remains near a recent high, with Americans’ outlook largely unchanged this year.

WASHINGTON — Consumer inflation remained persistently high last month, boosted by gas, rents, auto insurance and other items, the government said April 10.

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve officials kept their benchmark interest rate unchanged but signaled March 20 that they still expect to cut their key interest rate three times in 2024.