Central Banks

Fed Caught Between Inflation and Bank Crisis

  • Central bank confronts hike-or-pause choice amid turmoil
  • Rate forecasts could shift — or be suspended altogether
What to Expect From the Fed This Week
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All eyes in the financial and economic world will be laser-focused Wednesday on the Federal Reserve as Chair Jerome Powell tries to balance his fight against inflation against a sudden banking crisis.

Powell and his colleagues began their meeting Tuesday with the outcome unusually unclear. While most economists expect a quarter-point interest-rate hike, some say policymakers should pause to shore up financial stability.