Top Insight: Fed Signals Potential Pause After Third Straight Rate Cut

Markets opened cautiously after the Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark rate to 3.50%–3.75%, delivering a third consecutive 25-bps cut amid elevated inflation and softer labour conditions. The FOMC acknowledged rising uncertainty in economic data and emphasised that additional cuts are not guaranteed. Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that the committee will closely monitor incoming indicators as unemployment edges up to 4.4% and job growth slows.