Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Fed holds interest rates

The US central bank has voted to hold interest rates steady again, as a spike in oil prices since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran raises economic uncertainty and threatens to drive up inflation. The decision, which was widely expected, left the Federal Reserve's key interest rate in the range of 3.5%-3.75%, where it has stood since December.

Posted by REDIAL at 05:59 PM | 17 COMMENTS | permalink

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Despite pressure from US President Donald Trump to slash borrowing costs, policymakers have been moving cautiously, as they face a tricky combination of rising prices and mixed signals from the job market. Analysts say the war has made them even less likely to cut, with markets now pushing back the chance of a rate cut happening into next year.

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"The thing a good number of people on the committee are concerned about is the very very low level of job creation. If you adjust what has been the trend job creation over the past 6 months for what we think is the overstatement due to overcounting, effectively there is 0 net job creation in the private sector"

-Jerome Powell

#1 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-03-18 06:21 PM

Good Bye Dow Jones

#2 | Posted by Sycophant at 2026-03-18 06:34 PM

Get used to the term "Dropping Fast"

#3 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-03-18 06:36 PM

Every fucking time a republican president is in office my retirement savings take a massive blow

#4 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-03-18 06:36 PM

Republican president = ruined economy, tax cuts for the uber rich, war in the middle east.

Every. Time. The American public is stupid.

#5 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2026-03-18 07:06 PM

Other economic data released today...

US producer inflation runs hotter in February, expected to accelerate further amid Iran war
www.reuters.com

... U.S. producer prices increased by the most in seven months in February, driven by higher costs for services and a range of goods, and could accelerate further as the war in the Middle East boosts oil prices and the pass-through from tariffs persists.

The stronger-than-expected Producer Price Index report released on Wednesday also suggested key inflation measures tracked by the Federal Reserve posted significant gains in February.

The U.S. central bank held interest rates steady at the end of its two-day policy meeting on Wednesday. Policymakers projected higher inflation, steady unemployment and only a single cut in rates this year.

Financial markets expected the Fed to resume rate cuts either in December or January 2027, LSEG data showed.

The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which started at the end of February, has sent oil prices surging more than 40%, and with it retail fuel prices like gasoline and diesel fuel. Economists expected the war's inflationary effect to show up in the March consumer and producer price reports to be released next month. ...


#6 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-03-18 07:21 PM

Iran is also in the process of attempting to change the currency oil is traded in from the Dollar to the Yuan.

Should they be successful, this country will collapse.

#7 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-03-18 07:28 PM

China probably doesn't want that either. They hold trillions of our debt. So we collapse they collapse

#8 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-03-18 07:31 PM

"Iran is also in the process of attempting to change the currency oil is traded in from the Dollar to the Yuan."

It's already happening.

Pakistani oil tanker "Karachi" crosses Strait of Hormuz after payment in Chinese yuan: Senator Mushahid
thetruthinternational.com

#9 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-03-18 07:33 PM

Thanks magat scum. you well and truly fucked us.

#10 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-03-18 07:34 PM

Barbados-flagged tanker abandons Hormuz Strait bid after Iran forces went into alert: IRGC
The IRGC says a Barbados-flagged oil tanker retreated after initially attempting to head towards the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement carried by state media, the IRGC said the giant vessel changed course after Iranian forces entered a state of alert and took a position of action.

#11 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-03-18 07:35 PM

Saudi FM says two refineries were attacked in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia's top diplomat Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has been speaking to reporters following a meeting of foreign ministers in Riyadh.

He has said that two refineries have been attacked in Saudi Arabia and that Iran must review its "misjudgements" since these attacks will not bring any gains.

We'll bring you more soon.

Escalation

#12 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-03-18 07:59 PM

Iran is also in the process of attempting to change the currency oil is traded in from the Dollar to the Yuan.

Iran already accepts Yuan when selling oil to China.

#13 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-03-18 09:15 PM


Should they be successful, this country will collapse.
#7 | POSTED BY CLOWNSHACK

I warned about this when Biden broke all faith in the US system when he used it as a weapon.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/biden-admin-may-back-hitting-russias-access-swift-european-allies-
agre-rcna17832

At that point everyone started looking on how to get out from underneath the USD.

All those USD's will come rushing back, slowly, faster .. then all at once.

Blaming Trump will be you're goto move, but this has been in the works for sometime.

#14 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-03-18 09:20 PM

Explosions in central Israel as military warns of new Iranian missiles
Israel's Channel 12 broadcaster is reporting explosions in central parts of the country amid air raid sirens in the area.

This came moments after the Israeli military said it has detected a new wave of missiles from Iran.

This indicates that the Israeli early warning system, i.e. THAAD system is not working at all.

Not good

#15 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-03-18 09:51 PM

imalumpertoo is getting more desperate and pathetic by the day. On the bright side, the silly chart imbeds help to spot his stupidity early.

#16 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-03-18 09:53 PM

"Blaming Trump will be you're goto move, but this has been in the works for sometime."

Oh so it's not Biden's fault either.

#17 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-03-18 10:06 PM

Drudge Retort Headlines

Counterterrorism Chief Resigns Over Iran (178 comments)

Trump Chastises Nations for Lack of 'enthusiasm' Over Hormuz (37 comments)

Anti-ICE Protestors Convicted of Terrorism for Wearing Black (36 comments)

James Talarico's 'Pronouns or Prices' Speech Goes Viral (28 comments)

Trump Allies Fear Iran is Slipping Beyond the President's Control (22 comments)

All Ex-Presidents Call BS on Trumps Claim One Backed His War (21 comments)

Top US Allies Are Turning Toward China Instead. Blame Trump. (21 comments)

Senate Has Passed What Could Be the Largest Housing Package in Decades (20 comments)

Hassett says Consumer Pain Over Iran War 'the last of our concerns' (17 comments)

Donald Trump Floats Venezuela Becoming 51st State (17 comments)