Fed Announces Emergency Rate Cut to Fight Coronavirus Economic Risks

The Federal Reserve announced an emergency interest rate cut Tuesday, saying it was slashing its benchmark target by half a percentage point to combat the risks by the global outbreak of the coronavirus.

This was the largest move in interest rates since the Fed cut rates during the financial crisis and the first emergency cut since late 2008. Typically, the rate target only moves its rate target at scheduled meetings. The next meeting is set to begin in two weeks.

“The fundamentals of the U.S. economy remain strong. However, the coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity. In light of these risks and in support of achieving its maximum employment and price stability goals, the Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/2 percentage point, to 1 to 1‑1/4 percent,” the Fed said in a statement.

In a press conference held after the announcement, Fed chair Jerome Powell said outbreak had disrupted economic activity in many countries and led to “significant movements” in financial markets.

Michigan woman arrested for allegedly starving, torturing disabled sister-in-law she locked in basement

South Carolina pastor, wife arrested after alleged sexual, physical abuse of foster children

Dem lawmaker calls for TSA to bring back shoes-off airport security policy

Former Fort Bragg employee charged with leaking classified military information to journalist

Wisconsin couple allegedly starved six children for years, forcing them to eat mold, bugs and dog food

Trump seeks to wipe away entire New York civil fraud judgement

Acting AG Todd Blanche Says DOJ Has Over 8,000 Fraud Cases Underway, And It’s the Tip of the Iceberg

Missouri Incumbents Voted Out a Week After Ignoring Public Pressure on Data Center

Suspect in Iryna Zarutska Killing Declared ‘Incapable to Proceed’ in Murder Trial

BREAKING: FBI Arrests Ex-SOCOM Employee Over Leak to Media 48 Hours After Trump Said Justice Was Coming for Leakers – DEVELOPING

Dem senator ripped for ‘smear’ of female activist advocating for Swalwell’s accusers: ‘Very bad look’

Hero High School Principal Takes a Bullet to Stop School Shooter

DOJ Opens Criminal Investigation Into Cassidy Hutchinson, Democrats’ Star Jan. 6 Witness: Report

Top school district slapped with complaint alleging ‘elaborate system’ to keep kids’ gender transitions secret

Fox News Poll: Record number say taxes are too high; government spending seen as wasteful

“The virus and the measures being taken to contain it will surely weigh on economic activity both here and abroad for some time,” Powell said.

The rate cut comes after ten days or so of mounting concerns over the coronavirus roiling financial markets. President Donald Trump has urged the Fed to take action a number of times over the past week, arguing that the central bank had to deploy a more accommodative monetary policy to deal with the economic risks because Democrats in Congress were unlikely to vote for a tax cut to stimulate growth.

Powell denied that pressure from the president had played any role in the decision to cut rates, saying the Fed had only taken into account its analysis of the economic situation in light of its mandate to foster price stability and maximum employment.

“We’re never going to consider any political considerations whatsoever. We will not do that and it’s very important that the public understand that,” Powell said.

Financial markets themselves have pressured the Fed, pushing longer-term interest rates to record lows and fed funds futures prices to reflect what amounted to a demand by investors that the Fed move off its previous “wait and see” stance.

The first U.S. deaths from the coronavirus were reported Saturday. At the time of the Fed announcement Wednesday, the death toll had climbed to 6. Some have argued that the health impacts in the U.S. are unlikely to be large and described the coronavirus as likely to be similar to a “very bad flu season.” Powell pointed out that the economic toll could still be significant.

“For us what really matters is not the epidemiology but the risks to the economy. So we saw the risks to the economy and chose to act,” Powell explains.