U.S. consumer prices rose 4.2% in May from a year earlier, the fastest increase since April 2023. Energy costs, especially gasoline, drove much of the rise as conflict disrupted oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Posts tagged as “the Federal Reserve’”
Prosecutors from Jeanine Pirro's office attempted an unannounced visit to the Federal Reserve's renovation site but were denied access amid a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The probe and visit have complicated the confirmation of President Trump's nominee to succeed Powell.
Brent crude oil prices surged to $115 per barrel amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route, causing significant volatility in global energy markets. The spike in oil prices has led to higher gasoline costs in the U.S., reducing disposable income for consumers and increasing expenses for businesses, potentially slowing economic growth amid fragile demand. Despite strong domestic energy production, the U.S. faces inflationary pressures and market uncertainty as geopolitical risks persist, with analysts warning that prolonged conflict could push oil prices even higher.
A federal judge dismissed grand jury subpoenas targeting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, ruling they were intended to pressure him rather than investigate legitimate criminal conduct. The investigation, led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, focused on Powell’s testimony about a costly Federal Reserve renovation project but was criticized as politically motivated, especially given President Trump’s public attacks on Powell for resisting interest rate cuts. The ruling blocks the subpoenas, prompting plans for an appeal from the Justice Department, while some lawmakers welcomed the decision as a check on a weak investigation.
The Federal Reserve has left interest rates unchanged, citing strong economic growth and a strong jobs market. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell noted that the central bank is committed to using all of its tools to keep inflation in check and ensure that the economy remains strong. The Fed is open to additional rate hikes should inflation quicken in coming months.
The Federal Reserve has warned banks to be more conservative in their lending practices following the failure of three of the nation’s 30 largest banks in the last two months. Jerome Powell raised interest rates by 0.25% to a target range between 5.00% and 5.25%. PacWest Bancorp, a $44 billion bank, is now considering its strategic options, including a possible sale, a breakup, or trying to raise capital.
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank has sent shockwaves through the financial world, with Senate Republicans denying the bank deregulation bill they passed in 2018 had anything to do with it. The Federal Reserve’s interest-rate hikes have been blamed for the bank run, and the Senate Banking Committee has written a bill that could shape the federal response. Experts suggest the whole debacle could have been avoided if the regulators had stepped in, but the exact cause of the bank’s collapse remains unclear.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Maxine Waters have both rid themselves of campaign contributions related to the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, which has raised questions about the role of Congress in the financial crisis. The 2018 law intended to provide relief to smaller banks was interpreted generously by the Federal Reserve, and Congress may take further action to ensure banks are held to a higher standard of oversight and safety.