DARK SECRETS: 5 - The Real Truth

Fed minutes show more members open to a rate hike

A majority of Fed members at their April meeting felt "some policy firming ‌would likely become appropriate" if inflation in the United States stays high.

AAP · May 20

Fed minutes show more policymakers were prepared to lay groundwork for rate hike

Federal Reserve minutes show growing concern that inflation driven by the Iran war could persist above the 2% target, prompting discussions around possible future rate hikes. Several policymakers signalled tightening may be needed, marking a more hawkish shift. Bond yields rose as markets priced in reduced chances of rate cuts.

The Economic Times · May 20

Trump’s elections revenge crusade just saddled him with some crucial Republican foes in Congress

ANALYSIS: Trump is poking the bear in the Senate, where Republicans added to his burn list are flexing their power, writes John Bowden. And, as Thomas Massie reminded after his loss Tuesday night, they have seven more months to do so

The Independent UK · May 20

The Bond Market Is Flashing a Warning — And a Former Biden National Security Adviser Says Americans Could Get Hit Twice

Daleep Singh, former Biden National Security Adviser and current chief economist at PGIM, warns the bond market is flashing a serious danger signal as oil prices above $100 drive inflation fears and push the 10-year Treasury yield toward 5%. He warns the end game could be financial repression.

International Business Times · May 16

US Stocks end lower on mounting inflation worries

U.S. stocks declined Friday as rising crude prices fueled global inflation fears, pushing Treasury yields higher and making equities less attractive. The Trump-Xi summit yielded few results, while Jerome Powell's tenure as Fed chair concluded amidst concerns about sticky inflation and potential rate hikes. Energy shares saw gains, but the…

The Economic Times · May 16

US Fed board names Powell temporary chief pending Warsh swearing-in

Jerome Powell has been named temporary chair of the US Federal Reserve pending the swearing-in of successor Kevin Warsh. This move follows Warsh's Senate confirmation after a challenging process. Powell's interim role is a customary practice during such transitions, with no specific date set for Warsh's official induction.

The Economic Times · May 16

America's productivity boom started before AI, and a Stanford economist who decoded the Great Resignation says working from home is the reason why

National data show “a clear post-2020 surge in productivity growth exactly when WFH ramped up,” said Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom.

Fortune · May 15

US stocks today: Dow Jones crashes 500 points on mounting inflation worries

U.S. stocks pulled back from record highs as rising crude oil prices and surging Treasury yields triggered fresh inflation concerns. The selloff hit AI-driven tech stocks hardest, while markets reassessed rate hike risks under incoming Fed leadership, with geopolitical tensions and bond market signals dampening investor sentiment.

The Economic Times · May 15

Powell's tenure as Fed chair marked by fight for independence while trying to tame inflation

When Jerome Powell was sworn in as chair of the Federal Reserve eight years ago, economists worried that inflation and interest rates were too low and that too few Americans had jobs.

The Economic Times · May 15

Wrapup: Busy week ends in Byrd bath

Republican leaders in Congress scored some victories this week in nominations and appropriations but struck out on easily advancing their partisan “reconciliation 2.0” proposal to fund immigration enforcement. The bill faces a hurdle in the form of the Senate Parliamentarian, who on Thursday evening advised that several provisions violate the…

Roll Call · May 15