President Trump has said he will "demand" lower interest rates, raising questions about his ability to influence the Federal Reserve.

Economists expect the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged as its Open Market Committee is set to conclude its meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at its January meeting following three consecutive rate cuts amid uncertainty over inflation and economic conditions.

The Federal Reserve kicked off its second Trump era right where it left off: Doing exactly what it wanted to do, ignoring President Donald Trump’s demands that it lower rates.

A humming American economy ended 2024 on a solid note with consumer spending continuing to drive growth, and ahead of what could be a significant change in direction under a Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The American economy ended 2024 on a solid note with consumer spending continuing to drive growth. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that gross domestic product — the economy’s output of goods and services — expanded at a 2.3% annual rate from October through December.

The U.S. stock market’s so-called fear gauge was rising Wednesday as investors await the outcome of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting. The CBOE Volatility Index, which trades under the ticker VIX,

Inflation data coming Friday should show a quicker rise in consumer prices at the end of 2024, supporting the Federal Reserve’s latest decision to hold off on further rate cuts. The Bureau of Economic Analysis will release the personal consumption expenditures,

All three major U.S. stock indexes were higher in late-afternoon trade as focused turned away from Wednesday's Federal Reserve meeting and toward corporate earnings on deck. The S&P 500 index was leading the equity gauges higher with a 0.

European stock markets rose and the euro dipped Thursday, with the European Central Bank expected to cut interest rates as inflation eases and the eurozone economy stalls.

The Commerce Department reported Thursday that gross domestic product — the economy’s output of goods and services — expanded at a 2.3 percent annual rate from October through December. For the full year, the economy grew a healthy 2.8 percent, compared with 2.9 percent in 2023.