A screen broadcasting a news conference by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell after a rate announcement, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on March 19, 2025.
Brendan McDermid | Reuters
My top 10 things to watch Thursday, March 20
1. Wall Street was heading for a lower open today following yesterday’s Fed-driven rally. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said he doesn’t expect tariffs to have a lasting impact on inflation.
2. Powell and his central bank colleagues held interest rates steady Wednesday but said they would cut if the economy needed it. They kept their projections for two rate cuts this year.
3. President Donald Trump posted last night that the Fed should cut rates as tariffs “start to transition” into the economy. Investors are worried about tariffs and slowing economic growth, which has put been pressure on stocks.
