BREAKING: US Federal Reserve slashes interest rates by 0.5% in consequences for Nigeria

On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve implemented a 0.5% cut to its interest rates, marking the start of what many analysts anticipate will be a sustained phase of monetary easing.

This more aggressive reduction in borrowing costs follows rising concerns about the state of the U.S. job market.

In its latest statement, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) expressed greater confidence in inflation moving steadily towards its 2% target.

 

The committee believes that risks to meeting both inflation and employment objectives are now more balanced. However, not all officials were in agreement—Governor Michelle Bowman preferred a smaller 0.25% cut.

The Fed’s projections indicate further cuts, with another 0.5% reduction anticipated by the end of 2024, a full percentage point drop in 2025, and a final 0.5% cut in 2026.

The long-term federal funds rate is expected to settle between 2.75% and 3.00%, a slight upward revision from previous expectations.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell explained, “This action underscores our increasing confidence that, with proper adjustments to our policy, the labour market can remain robust while inflation steadily declines toward our 2% target.”

What this means for Nigeria: The Federal Reserve’s move to lower rates carries notable consequences for Nigeria, particularly in terms of investment flows, currency dynamics, and inflationary trends.

 

More details later…