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Fed Expected to Begin Cutting Interest Rates Amid Cooling U.S. Economy
Economic indicators are adding pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates as early as its mid-September meeting. Recent data show a slowdown in the U.S. labor market, including weak job growth and rising unemployment, even as inflation remains elevated. These mixed signals have created what many analysts describe as a “difficult position” for the Fed.
🔍 What the Data Shows
A Reuters poll of over 100 economists expects a 25 basis points cut in September, with at least one more rate cut before the end of the year.
The CME FedWatch Tool, which reflects futures market bets, shows very high odds — over 90% — of a 25-bp cut in September.
Labor market data points to clear softening: job creation has slowed, unemployment has ticked up, and revised employment figures reveal weaker performance than earlier reported.
Inflation remains a concern: core inflation metrics, including the Fed’s preferred PCE measure, are above the 2% target. Some inflation pressures—food, housing, tariffs—are proving sticky.
⚖️ Why This Puts the Fed in a Tough Spot
The Fed has a dual mandate: price stability and maximum employment. With inflation above target but job growth weakening, deciding when and how much to ease becomes tricky. Cut too soon or too much, and inflation could resurge; wait too long, and the labor market could deteriorate further.
🔮 What’s Expected
A 25 basis-point rate cut at the FOMC meeting scheduled for September 16-17, 2025 is now widely expected.
Many economists forecast one to three additional rate cuts by year-end, depending on upcoming inflation reports and further labor market developments.
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Dangote Refinery: Transforming Nigeria’s Fuel Market and Beyond with Game-Changing Capacity
The BP Rotterdam Refinery in the Netherlands boasts a robust capacity of 380,000 barrels per day, positioning it as a major player in the European refining scene.
Notable refineries in Europe highlighted in the report include the GOI Energy ISAB Refinery in Italy, capable of processing 360,000 barrels per day, and the TotalEnergies Antwerp facility in Belgium, with a refining capacity of 338,000 barrels per day.
The emergence of the Dangote Refinery marks a significant shift in the refining landscape, earning it the title of a ‘game changer’ in the industry. Its strategic location and utilization of cost-effective US oil imports contribute to its competitive edge.
Analysts foresee the refinery, currently running at around 300,000 barrels per day, making a profound impact on Nigeria’s fuel market and the broader region. Already, it has commenced shipments of jet fuel, diesel, and naphtha, with plans for further product expansion.
Sierra Leone’s Bank Turns Up the Heat on Interest Rates to Tackle Rising Prices!
Hey, guess what? The Bank of Sierra Leone just made a big decision! So, imagine you’re at a meeting with a bunch of important people, including Dr. Ibrahim L. Stevens, the big boss at the bank. They’re talking about money stuff, and they decided to do something to help with a big problem they’re facing.
See, there’s this thing called inflation, which means prices keep going up, and it’s causing a lot of trouble. So, to try to fix it, they decided to raise something called the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 1 percentage point. Now it’s at 23.25 percent!
Why did they do this? Well, the world is going through some tough times right now, with fights between countries and problems getting stuff from one place to another. Plus, energy prices keep going up and down like a roller coaster.
But hey, it’s not all bad news. Things have been getting a bit better since last October when it comes to prices going up. They’ve been going up a bit slower, which is good. They think the economy will grow by about 3.1 percent this year, which is alright, but they want it to be even better.
They’re also working on making sure they have enough money from other countries and making sure the government doesn’t spend too much. The banks seem to be doing okay, but they still need to keep an eye on things.
So, what’s next? Well, they’re going to keep watching what’s happening around the world and in Sierra Leone, of course. They’ll have another meeting in June to see if they need to do anything else.
So, there you have it! The Bank of Sierra Leone is trying to keep things steady and make sure your money doesn’t lose its value. Let’s hope their plan works out!
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