Monetary policy

The Senate voted 54-45 to confirm Kevin Warsh to lead the central bank. Warsh will take the reins from Jerome Powell, who said he will remain on the Federal Reserve Board.

The FOMC meeting will be interesting as Kevin Warsh takes the chair. KBRA Chief Strategist Van Hesser will review the meeting, the presser and the new dot plot.

"The market is starting to feel a little bit on the heavy side," said Jamie Iselin, head of municipal fixed income at Neuberger Berman. "The Treasury market has been leaking higher as, I think, people are getting concerned that the conflict in the Middle East is going to [last] longer."

With no rate change expected, analysts look at Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh and how investors should position.

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.

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.

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.

José Torres, senior economist at Interactive Brokers, breaks down the FOMC decision and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference.

Federal Reserve Gov. Stephen Miran said it is too early to judge how U.S. involvement in the war with Iran will affect inflation and monetary policy.

"A slightly less hawkish decision than had been anticipated," said Art Hogan, B. Riley Wealth chief market strategist.

With no rate change expected, analysts are watching the new Summary of Economic Projections and the statement for insight into the panel's thinking.

A federal judge wrote in an opinion that a "mountain of evidence" suggests the subpoenas were an effort to push Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates or resign.

Findings from The Bond Buyer's 2026 Predictions Report show tax shakeups and political uncertainty pose major challenges to public finance.

Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook said AI could boost productivity, but warned the transition may raise unemployment and force difficult tradeoffs between inflation and jobs.

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee said the central bank should focus on getting inflation to its 2% target before making any additional cuts to short-term interest rates.

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said during an appearance Monday his decision on whether or not to support a cut to short-term interest rates depends on labor market indicators.

The Bond Buyer's 2026 Predictions Report shows professionals expect growth for the year ahead, but are cautious about changes coming to the central bank.

Sean Snaith, Director of the Institute for Economic Forecasting at the University of Central Florida, will provide insight into the FOMC meeting.