The Federal Reserve will keep interest rates steady through the first half of the year, before delivering two reductions beginning in September, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.

American families are growing sharply less optimistic about the economic outlook, but the Federal Reserve may be loathe to respond aggressively to a weakening economy in light of increasing worries that the Trump administration's trade policy will boost already elevated inflation.

In an economy wracked by uncertainty, one thing seems virtually guaranteed: the Federal Reserve will leave its key interest rate unchanged when the central bank's policy committee meets Tuesday and Wednesday.

Although inflation receded last month, an escalating trade war threatens to cause prices to rise on a wide range of consumer goods going forward.

The Federal Reserve is seen restarting interest-rate cuts in June, traders bet on Tuesday, as government data showed U.S. producer prices were unexpectedly flat last month and weekly jobless claims fell.

The odds of the Federal Reserve implementing at least one quarter-point interest rate cut in early May fell to 30.5% after Wednesday’s consumer price index data arrived. That compares with 37.4% on Tuesday,

Softer U.S. labor market conditions against the backdrop of trade-policy uncertainty have prompted Barclays to raise its expectations to two rate cuts by the Federal Reserve for the year from one.

Expectations for the next interest-rate reduction are being brought forward after the stock market’s big selloff at the start of the week. Investors had penciled in June as the most likely moment for

When the FOMC meets next week, members will have more to consider than inflation rate targets and the job situation. See why Fed will unlikely change rates.