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.

‘House’ Star Hugh Laurie Blasted by Left After Standing with Sophie Cunningham and Her Fight to Keep Men Out of Women’s Sports

No Death Penalty: Tyler Robinson’s Attorneys Launch Plan to Keep Charlie Kirk’s Accused Murderer Off Death Row – and It Could Work

Mark Lynch endorses Ralph Norman as congressman heads into runoff against Darline Graham

Newsom-appointed judge who freed migrant before fatal stabbing said justice ‘sometimes means a dismissal’

Will Ferrell’s ‘The Hawk’ is unfunny and uninspired

Vincent Pastore, 1946-2026

Mexican national faces federal charges after CBP finds $238K in fentanyl inside electric moped

NYPD cop found guilty of chokehold in first conviction since restraint tactic banned after George Floyd death

Detransitioners reveal how doctors pushed them toward life-altering treatment as teens

White House exposes ‘Transshipment Scam’ costing US up to $26B, points finger at China

Live bullet found aboard United flight forces passengers off plane for security sweep at Denver airport

Woke Colorado School District Teaches 5-Year-Olds Sexual Anatomy Using Images So Bad We Refuse to Post Them – By Age 7, It Gets Far Worse

Marco Rubio gets 68 new jobs in epic White House birthday gift inspired by viral meme

Watch: Bystander Appears to Capture New B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Flying Low Over Wichita

HHS warns Texas hospitals against denying life-saving care to newborn with disability

“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.