Powell Gets Tough On Cuts, Stocks Sink, BOE Preview & Europe Sleepwalks Into War

Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes.

On today's podcast:

(1) Federal Reserve officials lowered their benchmark interest rate for a third consecutive time, but reined in the number of cuts they expect in 2025, signaling greater caution over how quickly they can continue reducing borrowing costs.

(2) The Bank of Japan kept its monetary policy settings unchanged as it waits a little longer before its next move, with a dissenter’s proposed rate increase suggesting momentum for another hike is building.

(3) The Bank of England is likely to warn of only gradual interest-rate cuts in 2025, ending the year with a cautious message to investors as the specter of stagflation — anemic growth and sticky inflation — hangs over the British economy.

(4) The UK’s minimum wage has been pushed up by 14 pence (18 cents) an hour as a result of changes to a faulty methodology in statistics that underpin the rate.

(5) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he’ll reinforce his push for security guarantees at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and several European leaders in Brussels.

(6) Barclays s set to increase annual bonuses by as much as 20% in its investment bank after an improved year for traders and advisory teams.

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