The Wall Street Journal: Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates by Half Percentage Point

Article by Nick Timiraos in The Wall Street Journal

The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate by a half percentage point on Tuesday morning, delivering a booster shot to stem potential economic disruptions from the spreading coronavirus epidemic.

Tuesday’s cut, which lowered the federal-funds rate to a range between 1% and 1.25%, is the first to occur in between a scheduled policy meeting since the 2008 financial crisis.

The action was approved unanimously. In a statement, the central bank also held out the prospect for further stimulus.

“The committee is closely monitoring developments and their implications for the economic outlook and will use its tools and act as appropriate to support the economy,” the statement said.

To read this article in The Wall Street Journal, click here.