• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it

2

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI

3

China’s birth rate just hit its lowest point since 1949—and Trip.com cofounder James Liang thinks that’s a threat to innovation

1

Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it

2

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI

3

China’s birth rate just hit its lowest point since 1949—and Trip.com cofounder James Liang thinks that’s a threat to innovation
EconomyFederal Reserve

The Federal Reserve is about to have an extremely awkward meeting

Jason Ma
By
Jason Ma
Jason Ma
Weekend Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
Jason Ma
By
Jason Ma
Jason Ma
Weekend Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 14, 2025, 6:33 PM ET
Fed Chair Jerome Powell at the Federal Reserve Integrated Review of the Capital Framework for Large Banks Conference on July 22.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell at the Federal Reserve Integrated Review of the Capital Framework for Large Banks Conference on July 22.Al Drago—Bloomberg via Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Wall Street is looking ahead to a highly anticipated meeting of Federal Reserve policymakers, who are widely expected to lower interest rates for the first time this year amid relentless pressure from the White House and deteriorating employment data.

Recommended Video

The Federal Open Market Committee’s two-day meeting will start on Tuesday. On Wednesday afternoon, it will announce its policy decision. According to CME’s FedWatch tool, markets are pricing in 96.4% odds for a quarter-point cut and 3.6% odds for a half-point cut. The benchmark rate is currently 4.25%-4.5%.

The rate announcement will also be accompanied by a so-called “dot plot” of fresh forecasts on rates, inflation and GDP growth from Fed officials. Chairman Jerome Powell will hold a press briefing soon afterward.

While there is little doubt about the outcome of the Fed meeting, there are still questions over who exactly will be voting—setting up some very awkward dynamics.

Stephen Miran: why not both?

Senate Republicans hope to confirm Stephen Miran as a Fed governor on Monday so that he can participate when the meeting starts on Tuesday.

His decision not to resign from his White House economic adviser role while he serves on the Fed board and instead take a leave of absence is unprecedented, with critics saying it leaves him too vulnerable to pressure from President Donald Trump—who is already trying to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook.

Miran has also previously criticized the Fed’s consensus-based approach and accused it of “groupthink.” Before joining the administration, he proposed reforms that would weaken Fed independence and argued that monetary policy would be better served with some arguments.

Will he tear into his new coworkers on his very first day?

Either way, get ready for more contested votes rather than the typical unanimous decisions. In a note on Friday, JPMorgan chief U.S. economist Michael Feroli said he expects the upcoming meeting to feature two or three dissents for a larger cut.

At the Fed’s last meeting Fed governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman broke from other policymakers by calling for a quarter-point cut. It’s possible they could dissent again by voting for a half-point cut, Feroli said, with Miran expected to “dutifully dissent for a larger cut” as well.

It remains to be seen how long Miran’s Fed tenure will be. But in a note last month, JPMorgan said his appointment to the Fed “fuels an existential threat as the administration looks likely to take aim at the Federal Reserve Act to permanently alter U.S. monetary and regulatory authority.”

Lisa Cook: ‘Fed independence would be over’

The other question mark is whether Cook will be at the FOMC meeting. After Trump took the unprecedented step of firing her, claiming mortgage fraud, she sued to stay in her post. Cook denied the accusations and said Trump’s attempt to oust her is illegal.

In addition to Trump, Cook’s lawsuit also named the Fed’s board of governors, including Powell, as defendants. While her Fed colleagues weren’t involved in her dismissal, Powell was named in the suit “to the extent that he has any ability to take any action to effectuate President Trump’s purported termination of Governor Cook.”

A federal court sided with Cook, saying she can serve while litigation plays out, and new evidence has emerged that undercuts Trump’s accusations against her. But the Trump administration is fighting the decision in an appeals court.

Over the weekend, lawyers for both sides filed fresh arguments. The administration said it seeks to ensure “the integrity of the Federal Reserve.” Cook’s team said Trump has not shown sufficient cause and that a ruling in his favor would mean he could fire other governors on “similarly flimsy pretexts.”

“The era of Fed independence would be over. The risks to the nation’s economy could be dire,” the filing said.

If Cook is cleared to take part in the FOMC meeting, it may be awkward to discuss monetary policy with people she is also suing. But as central bankers prioritizing the Fed’s dual mandate, they are likely to consider it business and not personal.

Subscribe to Fortune Gulf Brief. Every Tuesday, this new newsletter delivers clear-eyed, authoritative intelligence on the deals, decisions, policies, and power shifts shaping one of the world’s most consequential regions, written for the people who need to act on it. Sign up here.
About the Author
Jason Ma
By Jason MaWeekend Editor

Jason Ma is the weekend editor at Fortune, where he covers markets, the economy, finance, and housing.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Economy

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Economy

t
CommentaryEducation
AI is about to disrupt millions of jobs. A century ago, America’s answer was to build a new high school
By Tim KnowlesJuly 8, 2026
5 hours ago
AI’s productivity gains are years away, but if it doesn’t deliver, it could make unsustainable debt levels even worse, Deutsche Bank economist says
AIInflation
AI’s productivity gains are years away, but if it doesn’t deliver, it could make unsustainable debt levels even worse, Deutsche Bank economist says
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 8, 2026
8 hours ago
‘Marie Antoinette would feel very comfortable’: How U.S. airlines built their business around big spenders
Travel & LeisureAirline industry
‘Marie Antoinette would feel very comfortable’: How U.S. airlines built their business around big spenders
By Rio Yamat and The Associated PressJuly 7, 2026
1 day ago
Trump said Walmart cut prices at his request, but the company didn’t credit the president in its decision as Trump fights off inflation backlash
RetailDonald Trump
Trump said Walmart cut prices at his request, but the company didn’t credit the president in its decision as Trump fights off inflation backlash
By The Associated Press and Josh BoakJuly 7, 2026
1 day ago
OPEC+ to pump more oil as market fears shift from shortage to glut 
NewslettersFortune Gulf Brief
OPEC+ to pump more oil as market fears shift from shortage to glut 
By Melissa HancockJuly 7, 2026
1 day ago
China’s birth rate just hit its lowest point since 1949—and Trip.com cofounder James Liang thinks that’s a threat to innovation
AsiaChina
China’s birth rate just hit its lowest point since 1949—and Trip.com cofounder James Liang thinks that’s a threat to innovation
By Nicholas GordonJuly 7, 2026
1 day ago

Most Popular

Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it
Success
Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it
By Preston ForeJuly 6, 2026
2 days ago
Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI
AI
Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 5, 2026
3 days ago
China’s birth rate just hit its lowest point since 1949—and Trip.com cofounder James Liang thinks that’s a threat to innovation
Asia
China’s birth rate just hit its lowest point since 1949—and Trip.com cofounder James Liang thinks that’s a threat to innovation
By Nicholas GordonJuly 7, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of July 7, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of July 7, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 7, 2026
1 day ago
Despite a $220 million net worth, Rafael Nadal says he won't retire because he hates waking up to no plans—so he's opened a chain of hotels instead
Success
Despite a $220 million net worth, Rafael Nadal says he won't retire because he hates waking up to no plans—so he's opened a chain of hotels instead
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJuly 7, 2026
1 day ago
Presidents aren't supposed to pick winners, former White House ethics lawyer says. Trump keeps choosing Dell
Politics
Presidents aren't supposed to pick winners, former White House ethics lawyer says. Trump keeps choosing Dell
By Mia OsmonbekovJuly 7, 2026
19 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.