The Federal Reserve is likely to begin cutting interest rates in June, following a mixed jobs report that highlights both robust job growth and emerging signs of labor market weakness.
The report, released by the U.S. Labor Department on Friday, showed that employers added 151,000 jobs in February—well above the 80,000 to 100,000 range that Fed Governor Christopher Waller considers healthy. However, the data also revealed early indicators of a softening labor market that could complicate the central bank’s efforts to curb inflation.
While the strong job gains initially suggest resilience, the report noted that the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.1%, and a surge in part-time employment—stemming from workers unable to secure full-time positions—pushed the broader U-6 underemployment rate to 8%, its highest level since October 2021. Analysts have pointed to these developments, along with planned federal workforce reductions and uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariff policies, as potential red flags for sustained economic strength.
“The February report showed some softening in labor conditions even before the impact of larger cuts to federal hiring takes effect,” said Julia Coronado, president of MacroPolicy Perspectives. “Reduced immigration, federal job losses, and tariff uncertainty could substantially slow hiring in the months ahead.”
Following the report, traders in short-term interest rate futures adjusted their expectations, shifting the anticipated start of Fed rate cuts from May to June. Current projections suggest a total of three rate cuts in 2025, with policymakers set to update their rate-path projections at the upcoming March 18-19 policy meeting. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is expected to provide further insight into the economic outlook and monetary policy later today.
The evolving labor market picture comes amid persistent inflation above the Fed’s 2% target and ongoing price pressures from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Several Fed officials have emphasized that a strong labor market allows the central bank to maintain its benchmark overnight rate in the 4.25%-4.50% range until there is more progress on reducing inflation. However, the emerging signs of underemployment and rising unemployment add complexity to the current policy debate.
As the Fed navigates these challenges, market participants and policymakers alike will be closely watching for further developments in the labor market and inflation data before deciding on the next steps.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered a forceful defense of the central bank’s response to the COVID-19 crisis on Sunday.
The U.S. Federal Reserve kept its benchmark federal funds rate unchanged on Wednesday, maintaining the target range at 4.25% to 4.50%, in a widely expected move as the central bank navigates a complex economic environment marked by slowing inflation, global trade tensions, and political pressure.
The U.S. Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold interest rates steady at its policy meeting on Wednesday, as signs of easing inflation and continued job growth clash with increasing pressure from President Donald Trump to slash rates amid the first economic contraction in three years.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, stating on Thursday that Powell's termination "cannot come fast enough."
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at Wednesday’s meeting.
Two foreign nationals were indicted Friday in California and Wisconsin for allegedly trying to smuggle sensitive U.S. military technology to China and target an American dissident critical of Beijing.
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered an accident investigation into SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight, which ended with the spacecraft spinning out of control and breaking apart over the Indian Ocean.
Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blažek resigned Friday after opposition parties called for his removal over a controversy involving bitcoins donated to the Ministry of Justice.
The United Nations is ordering over 60 offices and agencies to submit plans to cut 20% of their staff by mid-June as part of a wide reform effort to address a serious budget gap.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has praised Türkiye’s large-scale infrastructure projects, calling them a model for the UK to learn from.
AnewZ takes to the streets of Yerevan and Baku to ask a simple yet deeply complex question: How do you see peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan? In the first part of our special report, we hear the hopes, doubts, and scars still shaping people’s perspectives on both sides.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Kyiv faced a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault overnight, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the city, forcing residents to shelter in subway stations.
China has taken a major step in deep space exploration with the launch of Tianwen-2, aiming to become the third nation to return samples from an asteroid.
A newly discovered object in the Milky Way is baffling astronomers with bursts of radio and X-rays every 44 minutes.
SpaceX's latest Starship launch from Texas ended in an uncontrolled spin before completing key mission goals, highlighting fresh challenges for Elon Musk’s ambitious Mars program.
Nvidia plans to roll out a lower-cost AI chip tailored for China based on its new Blackwell architecture, aiming to preserve its foothold in a shrinking but still critical market amid intensifying U.S. export restrictions.
Pakistan is positioning itself as a major tech hub, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announcing a $700 million IT investment and urging global investors to capitalize on the country's digital growth.
Two foreign nationals were indicted Friday in California and Wisconsin for allegedly trying to smuggle sensitive U.S. military technology to China and target an American dissident critical of Beijing.
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered an accident investigation into SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight, which ended with the spacecraft spinning out of control and breaking apart over the Indian Ocean.
Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blažek resigned Friday after opposition parties called for his removal over a controversy involving bitcoins donated to the Ministry of Justice.
The United Nations is ordering over 60 offices and agencies to submit plans to cut 20% of their staff by mid-June as part of a wide reform effort to address a serious budget gap.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has praised Türkiye’s large-scale infrastructure projects, calling them a model for the UK to learn from.
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