Federal Reserve faces obstacles to rate cuts as inflation rises amid Iran war

16 articles · Updated · The Motley Fool · Apr 25

March inflation surged to 3.3% year over year, up from 2.4% in February, driven by the Iran war and supply disruptions.
This persistent inflation complicates the Federal Reserve's ability to lower interest rates, with futures markets now pricing only a 1-in-3 chance of a cut this year.
Despite President Trump's pressure and the possibility of Kevin Warsh as Fed chair, policymakers remain reluctant to cut rates, while market volatility and midterm election uncertainty add further headwinds for investors.

How could Kevin Warsh deliver expected rate cuts against an inflation-fighting Fed?

How long will high borrowing costs for consumers persist under new Fed leadership?

Will AI's energy demand force the Fed to keep rates high, despite its potential?

How will shrinking the Fed's massive balance sheet affect markets and the economy?

Are war and tariffs the real drivers of today's high inflation, not Fed policy?

Could Jerome Powell remain a Fed governor to safeguard its independence from his successor?