Posted by CNBC (99..201.63) on May 03, 2023 at 06:12:16:
1. Is this it?
The Federal Reserve is expected to increase its benchmark interest rate Wednesday afternoon, as policy-making officials wrap up a two-day meeting. But as is usually the case on Fed decision days, the market will want to know more about what’s next. There are plenty of strong indications the Fed may pause hikes here, especially as the economy processes a banking crisis that has already brought down three large U.S. financial institutions. (See below.) Investors will also be eager to hear what Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and his crew say about the overall economic outcome and the recession that has yet to materialize despite numerous predictions from other experts. Follow live market updates.