OREANDA-NEWS Following the results of the September meeting, the US Federal Reserve lowered its base interest rate by 25 basis points to 4-4.25% per annum for the first time since the end of last year, according to a press release from the regulator.

The decision coincided with the forecast of analysts interviewed by the Trading Economics portal.

The Fed raised the base rate to 5.25-5.5% per annum in July 2023. At the next eight meetings, the regulator kept the discount rate at this level. In September last year, the US central bank lowered the rate for the first time since 2020 - by 50 basis points at once, to 4.75-5%.

Then, in November and December 2024, the US Federal Reserve lowered the rate by 25 basis points, respectively, after which it kept it at 4.25-4.5%.

"The latest figures indicate a slowdown in economic activity in the first half of the year. Employment growth has slowed, and the unemployment rate has increased slightly, but remains low. Inflation has accelerated and remains at a slightly elevated level... The Committee is closely monitoring the risks for both sides of its dual mandate and believes that the risks of declining employment have increased," the regulator notes.