We’re joined by Thomas Guidi, CFA, Investment Manager, and Sarah Browne, MFE, CFA, Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, both of Foster & Motley, Inc. Together, they discuss the Federal Reserve’s role and its significant influence on interest rates, inflation and investment portfolios. They dive into the Fed’s monetary policy, its dual mandate and how its decisions affect both short-term and long-term financial planning.

Key Takeaways:

(00:53) The Federal Reserve’s dual mandate focuses on managing employment and inflation.

(03:14) The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets every six weeks to adjust interest rates based on economic conditions.

(04:46) The FOMC operates independently from political influence, serving under different administrations.

(05:11) Interest rate adjustments can be swift and significant, especially in response to economic crises like Covid or the 2008 financial crisis.

(06:45) The Fed funds rate is the primary tool used to control short-term lending and monetary policy.

(09:06) Short-term interest rates are currently higher than long-term rates, signaling expectations of future rate reductions.

(11:01) The Fed’s strategy of holding interest rates high for an extended period has controlled inflation without triggering an economic collapse.

(12:19) Investors should assess their cash reserves in high-yield savings accounts, preparing for potential interest rate declines.

Resources Mentioned:

Thomas Guidi -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-guidi-cfa-21830952/

Sarah Browne -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-k-browne/

Foster & Motley, Inc. | Website -

http://www.fosterandmotley.com

Foster & Motley, Inc. | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/fosterandmotley/

Connect:

info@fosterandmotley.com

+1 513-561-6640

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