"Fed Whisperer": Discussion on rate cuts nearly over; Fed begins seriously considering the possibility of rate hikes

Odaily Odaily Planet Daily News "Fed Whisperer" Nick Timiraos stated that Fed officials have almost stopped discussing the issue that dominated policy debates over the past two years—whether to cut interest rates—and began to more seriously consider the opposite direction at last month's meeting: whether a rate hike is necessary. The minutes of the April policy meeting showed: "Most participants emphasized that if inflation continues to persist above 2%, further tightening of policy may become appropriate." The April meeting was the last chaired by Jerome Powell as Fed Chair, and its minutes highlighted how the Middle East conflict has reshaped the outlook of the rate-setting committee. Warsh will take over the committee after being sworn in at the White House on Friday. (Jin Shi)