Brightstar Resources (BTR:AU) has announced North American Mining Conferences Presentation
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Tackling soaring inflation in the US is the job of the country’s central bank, known as the US Federal Reserve, or the Fed.
The US Fed has consistently made headlines in recent years due to its role in managing inflation through the use of interest rate changes.
Between mid-2021 and 2023, the US economy experienced high inflation, peaking at 8.5 percent in July 2022. The Fed has helped bring it largely under control through careful interest rate increases during that time period.
According to US Labor Department data, the inflation rate in July 2025 was 2.7 percent. As this is still above the Fed’s target of 2 percent, the bank has been slow to lower interest rates so far.
It’s important for any investor to understand the ins and outs of the Fed’s role in US monetary policy and interest rates, as its decisions have a strong impact on US and global markets as well as precious metals prices.
In this article
What is the US Federal Reserve?
The Federal Reserve, often referred to as the Fed, is the US central bank and monetary authority. It was established by the Federal Reserve Act in 1913, which gave the Fed responsibility for setting monetary policy in response to the 1907 Banker’s Panic.
“The Panic was caused by a build-up of excessive speculative investment driven by loose monetary policy,” explains Investopedia. “Without a government central bank to fall back on, U.S. financial markets were bailed out from the crisis by personal funds, guarantees, and top financiers and investors, including J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller.”
Although it is an independent government agency, the Fed is accountable to the public and US Congress. The current Fed Chair is Jerome Powell, an investment banker who served as assistant secretary and undersecretary of the Department of the Treasury under former President George H.W. Bush. Powell took the helm at the Fed in 2018.
The Fed has a dual mandate: to achieve stable prices and stable employment. The government agency also provides banking services and is the main regulator of the nation’s banks. In times of economic turmoil, the Fed also acts as a lender of last resort.
It’s important to note that while the Fed manages the national monetary policy and regulates the financial system in the US, its actions also have a powerful influence on the global economy.
What is the FOMC?
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the Fed’s monetary policy-making body. The 12 members of the FOMC are the seven members of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and four of the 11 reserve bank presidents who rotate through the positions for one year terms.
Why does the US Federal Reserve hike or cut interest rates?
For more than a century, the Fed has been tasked with keeping a watchful eye on any structural risk to monetary stability in the US financial system, and rising inflation and high unemployment are two of the biggest threats to monetary stability.
In the face of rising inflation, the Fed raises interest rates in the hopes of reigning in rapidly rising prices by curbing demand. When interest rates are higher, borrowing money becomes more expensive, which ultimately slows consumer spending and curtails corporate growth.
During times of slow economic growth, the Fed lowers interest rates in order to stimulate the economy. Lower interest rates in effect lower the cost of borrowing and investing for both businesses and individuals.
The Fed’s goal is to keep inflation around its target rate of 2 percent, and unemployment around 4 to 4.5 percent.
“The principle of inflation targeting is based on the belief that long-term economic growth is best achieved by maintaining price stability, and price stability is achieved by controlling inflation,” according to Investopedia.
What are the biggest contributors to US inflation?
Inflation is calculated through factoring in price changes of a weighted basket of goods and services, as well as housing.
For example, the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 caused a surge of inflation in the US and globally.
Prices of goods were driven higher by a mix of factors, including significant supply chain disruptions hurting product availability, and economic stimulus packages increasing spending power and demand.
Additionally, the lasting switch to work-from-home for many led to increased demand for homes with space for offices, driving up housing prices. As housing is the highest weighted factor when calculating US inflation, this was one of the biggest drivers of inflation in the 2020s.
Global supply chains have since been hampered by factors like Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and growing conflict in the Middle East. There is also the uncertainty generated from the global wave of tariffs sparked by US President Donald Trump’s trade policies, which will raise the cost of goods purchased by American consumers.
This global supply and demand imbalance has led to rising prices for a wide range of consumer products, from gas to groceries. The result has been a loss in purchasing power for US consumers as their dollar needs to stretch further.
How much has the US Federal Reserve hiked rates since 2022?
In an effort to fight inflation, the American central bank consistently increasing rates from its March 2022 meeting with an initial boost of 25 basis points. Its hike of 75 basis points in June 2022 was at the time its largest since 1994, and it was followed by another three hikes of this magnitude in 2022.
The Fed raised interest rates by 5.25 percentage points between March 2022 and July 2023 before holding at 5.50 percentage points for more than a year. The Fed’s current rate cutting cycle began with a .50 drop in September 2024.
|
_FOMC meeting date___ |
Rate hike in basis points_ |
Target federal funds rate_ |
|
January 25 to 26, 2022 |
N/A |
0 to 0.25 percent |
|
March 15 to 16, 2022 |
+25 |
0.25 to 0.5 percent |
|
May 3 to 4, 2022 |
+50 |
0.75 to 1 percent |
|
June 14 to 15, 2022 |
+75 |
1.5 to 1.75 percent |
|
July 26 to 27, 2022 |
+75 |
2.25 to 2.5 percent |
|
September 20 to 21, 2022 |
+75 |
3.0 to 3.25 percent |
|
November 1 to 2, 2022 |
+75 |
3.75 to 4.0 percent |
|
December 13 to 14, 2022 |
+50 |
4.25 to 4.5 percent |
|
January 31 to February 1, 2023 |
+25 |
4.5 to 4.75 percent |
|
March 21 to 22, 2023 |
+25 |
4.75 to 5.0 percent |
|
May 2 to 3, 2023 |
+25 |
5.0 to 5.25 percent |
|
July 25 to 26, 2023 |
+25 |
5.25 to 5.5 percent |
How many times does the Fed meet each year?
The FOMC holds eight meetings per year, typically scheduled every seven weeks. According to the Fed’s website, during these meetings the FOMC “reviews economic and financial conditions, determines the appropriate stance of monetary policy, and assesses the risks to its long-run goals of price stability and sustainable economic growth.”
How many more US Federal Reserve meetings this year?
As of August 21, three more Fed meetings are scheduled for 2025, and market participants will be closely watching these events.
It’s too soon to know what exactly the Fed will do at these remaining meetings, but its July statement gives some clues — in it, the central bank said that it ‘seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. Uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated. The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate.’
At the time, the Federal Reserve decided to hold rates steady at 4.25 to 4.5 percent for the fifth straight meeting as inflation remained elevated and job numbers appeared strong. The decision placed downward pressure on the gold price as a better economic outlook dimmed demand for the safe-haven asset.
While the current tariff war between the US and many of its major trading partners has some calling for a return to higher inflation, weak unemployment figures and other economic data published since the last meeting has caused others to consider the potential for a recession before the end of the year.
‘At present, the latest economic data have been sufficiently mixed as to support either policy alternative,’ according to analysts writing for the Peterson Institute for International Economics. ‘The case for a rate cut is driven by the pronounced slowing in job creation, the failure of inflation to respond much to the initial tariff increases, and the fact that most FOMC participants view the current stance of policy as slightly tighter than neutral.’
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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American Uranium (AMU:AU) has announced Snow Lake Completes AMU Investment
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Jindalee Lithium (JLL:AU) has announced Reinstatement to Official Quotation
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Shares of Kenvue fell more than 10% on Friday after a report that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will likely link autism to the use of the company’s pain medication Tylenol in pregnant women.
HHS will release the report that could draw that link this month, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
That report will also suggest a medicine derived from folate — a water-soluble vitamin — can be used to treat symptoms of the developmental disorder in some people, according to the Journal.
In a statement, an HHS spokesperson said, “We are using gold-standard science to get to the bottom of America’s unprecedented rise in autism rates.”
“Until we release the final report, any claims about its contents are nothing more than speculation,” they added.
Tylenol could be the latest widely used and accepted treatment that Kennedy has undermined at the helm of HHS, which oversees federal health agencies that regulate drugs and other therapies. Kennedy has also taken steps to change vaccine policy in the U.S., and has amplified false claims about safe and effective shots that use mRNA technology.
Kennedy has made the disorder a key focus of HHS, pledging in April that the agency will “know what has caused the autism epidemic” by September and eliminate exposures. He also said that month that the agency has launched a “massive testing and research effort” involving hundreds of scientists worldwide that will determine the cause.
In a statement, Kenvue said it has “continuously evaluated the science and [continues] to believe there is no causal link” between the use of acetaminophen, the generic name for Tylenol, during pregnancy and autism.
The company added that the Food and Drug Administration and leading medical organizations “agree on the safety” of the drug, its use during pregnancy and the information provided on the Tylenol label.
The FDA website says the agency has not found “clear evidence” that appropriate use of acetaminophen during pregnancy causes “adverse pregnancy, birth, neurobehavioral, or developmental outcomes.” But the FDA said it advises pregnant women to speak with their health-care providers before using over-the-counter drugs.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists maintains that acetaminophen is safe during pregnancy when taken as directed and after consulting a health-care provider.
Some previous studies have suggested the drug poses risks to fetal development, and some parents have brought lawsuits claiming that they gave birth to children with autism after using it.
But a federal judge in Manhattan ruled in 2023 that some of those lawsuits lacked scientific evidence and later ended the litigation in 2024. Some research has also found no association between acetaminophen use and autism.
In a note on Friday, BNP Paribas analyst Navann Ty said the firm believes the “hurdle to proving causation [between the drug and autism] is high, particularly given that the litigation previously concluded in Kenvue’s favor.”
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Jauan Jennings is the latest San Francisco 49ers receiver to deal with an injury in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.
The 49ers announced Jennings was questionable to return to their matchup with the Seattle Seahawks because of a shoulder injury.
Here’s what to know about Jenning’s injury:
Jauan Jennings injury update
The 49ers never officially announced Jennings had been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Seahawks, but he did not return to the contest.
Jennings is expected to have an MRI to determine the severity of his injury within the next 24 hours, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
It wasn’t immediately clear when Jennings suffered the in-game injury. However, he was seen having his left arm worked on by San Francisco’s medical staff while on the sidelines during the game.
Jennings was spotted trying to catch passes on the sideline but was seen wincing, per Matt Burrows of The Athletic.
The 49ers had already lost one of their top receiving weapons during Sunday’s game before Jennings’ injury. George Kittle suffered a hamstring injury in the first half and was quickly ruled out.
San Francisco was also without its No. 1 receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season.
49ers WR depth chart
The 49ers dressed five receivers for Sunday’s game. Below is a look at the group:
- Jauan Jennings*
- Ricky Pearsall*
- Russell Gage
- Skyy Moore
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
* Denotes starter.
The 49ers also have fourth-round rookie Jordan Watkins on the 53-man roster, but he did not dress for Sunday’s game..
Pearsall was the only receiver aside from Jennings who was targeted during Sunday’s game. He would likely be in line for an even more sizable target share if Jennings is unable to play in Week 2.
Brock Purdy also relied heavily on runnning back Christian McCaffrey in the passing game after Kittle and Jennings exited. The 29-year-old may end up being the quarterback’s second-favorite target if San Francisco’s pass-catching weapons are sidelined.
(This story will be updated as more information becomes available.)
This post appeared first on USA TODAY
There is no such thing as a quiet week in college football. But while a few surprises and close calls produced some changes in the US LBM Coaches Poll, the shakeups did not reach upper tier.
The top five teams remain the same this week, with Ohio State continuing to hold down the No. 1 spot. The Buckeyes received 62 of 67 first-place votes this week to stay comfortably ahead of No. 2 Penn State. The Nittany Lions were voted first by four panelists. Georgia holds at No. 3 overall but received no firsts this week. The final No. 1 nod went to No. 4 LSU, while Oregon once again rounds out the top five.
The changes begin at No. 6, where Miami (Fla.) overtakes Texas. Notre Dame, which had the week off, moves up a notch to No. 8. No. 9 Illinois gains three positions, and South Carolina gets the pleasure of displacing in-state foe Clemson from the top 10. The Tigers, who needed a second-half rally to avoid an upset at the hands of Troy, drop three places to No. 11.
TOP 25: Complete US LBM Coaches Poll
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On the downside, Arizona State tumbles 14 positions after falling at Mississippi State but hangs on to a poll spot at No. 24. Florida wasn’t so fortunate as the Gators fell from the Top 25 after their loss to South Florida, which enters at No. 23. SMU also dropped out of the rankings with a double-overtime loss to Baylor.
(This story was updated to change a video.)
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No Caitlin Clark, no problem.
Four days after Clark announced her season was over with a right groin injury, the Indiana Fever clinched the seventh playoff spot for the WNBA postseason which open Sunday, Sept. 14. The Fever beat the Washington Mystics, 94-65, to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season despite myriad setbacks.
The Fever lost five players for the season with injuries including Clark. Guards Sydney Colson (knee), Aari McDonald (foot) Sophie Cunningham (knee) and forward Chloe Bibby (knee) are also out.
In their absence, the Fever have used nine different starting lineups and 17 players to put together a 23-20 record. Natasha Howard led five players in double figures by scoring 17 on Sunday, Sept. 7. Aerial Powers added 15 points, Shey Peddy 13 and Kelsey Mitchell 10. Ailyah Boston had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Indiana’s seeding isn’t finalized. The Fever could move to sixth if they beat the No. 1-seeded Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday and the Golden State Valkyries lose their last two games. Indiana’s opponent is also up in the air as seeding on the top and bottom half of the league will be figured out in the final few games of the regular season, which wraps up Thursday, Sept. 11.
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The NFL season is underway and we’ve seen 30 of 32 teams take the field for the first time in 2025. The final two – the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears – are set for battle on Monday night.
There’s a lot to unpack from all of the action in Week 1, which is always filled with overreactions. There’s also time for fantasy managers to adjust and ensure that their fantasy teams don’t go haywire.
Some fantasy football predictions could have failed you this week, but don’t let the opportunity that awaits you on the waiver wire stop you from making wise, informed decisions right now.
Week 1 was eye-opening for some position battles and the impact that some notable injuries have on the future.
Here are five players to target on waivers this week.
Week 1 waiver wire targets:
WR Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, Chiefs (Rostered in 25% of Yahoo leagues)
Hollywood Brown is the priority waiver to add coming out of Week 1. He had a massive performance against the Chargers on Friday as a result of the early injury to Xavier Worthy. Brown may not be a ‘league winner’ given Rashee Rice will return from suspension in Week 7, but the veteran is in position to be the top receiver for the next five weeks in a Patrick Mahomes-led offense.
Brown posted 10 receptions for 99 yards on a massive 16 targets. Worthy is reportedly going to miss time – how much time is unclear yet – but the door is wide open for Brown to be an alpha for the Chiefs.
WR Cedric Tillman, Browns (Rostered in 28% of Yahoo leagues)
Tillman had an insane stretch in 2024, finishing as WR12 in fantasy points per game in Weeks 7-12. A concussion slowed his progress but he flashed the ability to be a No. 1 target with an impressive 19.7% target share, 66 receiving yards per game, and a 23.3% first-read share. With Joe Flacco under center, there’s reason to trust the production to continue after Tillman caught five of eight targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. Cleveland figures to be playing from a deficit frequently this season, and Tillman could be a direct beneficiary of that.
WR Keenan Allen, Chargers (Rostered in 50% of Yahoo leagues)
Despite being one of the best wide receivers in fantasy football over the last several seasons, Allen is only rostered in 50% of Yahoo leagues. He earned the most targets (10) of all Charger receivers in Friday night’s win over the Chiefs, and that number could be consistent all season. Justin Herbert looked like an MVP candidate in Week 1 as the Chargers’ offense surprised by going pass-heavy, attempting 34 passes in Week 1, a number that was only reached six times in all of 2024. Allen clearly looked reinvigorated back in a Chargers uniform and could be a weekly staple in lineups going forward.
WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers (Rostered in 8% of Yahoo leagues)
If you’re lower in the waiver order and fail to land Allen, his teammate, Johnston, would be a nice consolation prize. He is a former first-round pick and possesses the ability to be an every-down player. He caught five of seven targets in Week 1, cashing in two of those for touchdowns. He has the propensity for finding the end zone and a Year 3 breakout could be upon us if Herbert continues to deliver big. Don’t let Johnston hit his stride in your opponent’s lineup.
RB Dylan Sampson, Browns (Rostered in 46% of Yahoo leagues)
While many thought veteran Jerome Ford would get the bulk of the backfield work in Cleveland, it was actually the rookie Sampson. Yes, Quinshon Judkins will eventually debut, but Sampson’s receiving chops will keep him fantasy relevant. His involvement in the passing game will likely be utilized often because Cleveland is expected to be playing from behind more often than not.
Sampson totaled 12 rushes, which were twice as many as the next Browns running back, and he added eight receptions for 64 yards, establishing himself as the running back to roster in Cleveland.
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Isaac TeSlaa made the first catch of his NFL career in the final minute of the Detroit Lions’ Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The third-round rookie’s impressive grab figures to be frequently mentioned as a ‘Catch of the Year’ candidate.
TeSlaa’s first NFL catch was of the one-handed variety. He made it while diving backward to get a ball Jared Goff had lofted to him in the end zone to avoid the reach of Packers defensive back Carrington Valentine.
Initially, the officials ruled TeSlaa had failed to land inbounds while making the catch. However, after review, it became clear the Arkansas product got both of his feet down, with his left foot hitting the ground a fraction of a second before his backside landed out of bounds.
Below is a look at TeSlaa’s highlight-reel catch:
TeSlaa’s catch was one of the few positive moments from the Lions’ season-opening 27-13 loss to the Packers. Detroit’s offense largely sputtered in the team’s first game since former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson took the Chicago Bears’ coaching job, logging just 246 yards of total offense.
Perhaps Dan Campbell will look to get TeSlaa some more action after his highlight-reel catch. The rookie was targeted just once on Goff’s 39 passes Sunday.
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