Monetary policy

Market watchers think Jerome Powell will maintain a low-key presence on the Fed board as he awaits the release of an inspector general report examining cost overruns at the central bank's headquarters.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told reporters Wednesday that he would remain on the Fed board after his term as chair expires next month, resolving the last and most significant open question about his departure and the onset of Kevin Warsh's leadership at the central bank.

As Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell gives what is most likely his final press conference as chair Wednesday afternoon, the Federal Open Market Committee is widely expected to keep interest rates steady.

The Federal Open Market Committee's April meeting — likely Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's last — is unanimously expected to keep interest rates steady, but questions about energy, inflation and the upcoming transition in leadership still loom.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said on Sunday that he no longer opposes Kevin Warsh's nomination to serve as chair of the Federal Reserve following the Justice Department's announced closure of its inquiry into current Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

Economists and policy analysts say a prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz — and uncertainty about the duration of the conflict — could drive up inflation and further weaken consumer sentiment, which could weigh on bank earnings.

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said certain corporate functions at the 12 regional banks, including information technology and human resources, could be consolidated under one structure to increase standardization and reduce costs.

Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Federal Reserve, denied that he would act as Trump's "sock puppet" if he's confirmed and said the president has directed him to lower interest rates.

As the Senate Banking Committee is slated to consider the nomination of former Federal Reserve Gov. Kevin Warsh to lead the central bank, an ongoing investigation by the Justice Department into Fed chair Jerome Powell makes the nomination's passage out of committee uncertain.

Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf said bankers and economists are broadly against lowering interest rates now, given uncertainty from the Iran war.

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said Friday that the length of time the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked will be a key factor in the longer-term inflation outlook — and, by extension, the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path.

Federal Reserve Gov. Stephen Miran Thursday said that the Iran war and tariffs will not have long-term impacts on inflation, but did say he is reconsidering his rate cut outlook for the year.

President Donald Trump said he would fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if he does not resign after his term as head of the central bank ends in May. Trump made a similar threat against Fed Gov. Lisa Cook before attempting to fire her last August.

Federal Reserve Gov. Michael Barr said in a speech Tuesday that rapidly changing trade policies and conflict in the Middle East are straining rural communities by raising business operating costs.

Former Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Randal Quarles, who served during President Trump's first term, said members of the Fed board should be removable by the president, but that the decentralized structure of the Fed will ensure that monetary policy decisions remain sound.

A 21.2% spike in the price of gasoline was the biggest contributor to a 0.9% increase in the Consumer Price Index in March, according to a Friday report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency said other price increases were largely contained.

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said in a speech Tuesday that despite positive employment readings in recent months, he remains concerned that an economic shock could still threaten the labor market.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank is cautiously monitoring consumer sentiment as tensions from the Iran war push energy prices higher, complicating efforts to bring inflation down to the Fed's target.

Two former members of the Federal Open Market Committee said in interviews that they expect the Federal Reserve to keep rates steady amid uncertainty over the ongoing war with Iran and the resulting upward pressure on inflation.

In three separate appearances Thursday, Fed Gov. Lisa Cook, Gov. Michael Barr and Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said they are worried that U.S. involvement in the war with Iran could drive up inflation, leading them to conclude that interest rates should remain steady in the near term.