US Fed will likely cut again

THE Federal Reserve is expected to announce its second rate cut of the year tomorrow, despite a lack of clarity over the health of the US economy due to the ongoing government shutdown.

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The US central bank's second-tolast rate meeting of the year is taking place against the backdrop of a weekslong standoff between Republicans and Democrats over health care subsidies, resulting in a suspension of publication of almost all official data.

Without these key insights into the US economy, Fed officials will be forced to set interest rates without the full spectrum of data they normally rely upon.