Fed Holds Rates Steady; New Fed Chair is Announced

The Fed stayed put, inflation hasn’t cooled enough, and investors are penciling in the next rate cut at mid‑year. A light data slate backed that view—jobless claims remained low, productivity stayed strong, and producer prices firmed. The FOMC held rates at 3.50%–3.75% with two dissents for a 0.25% cut, keeping the focus on data while markets handicap a shallow easing path. Kevin Warsh’s nomination adds policy‑risk questions and could mean more debate inside the Committee. Equity breadth is improving as mega‑cap results diverge on AI spending, arguing for neutral risk with a quality tilt. Speakers:Brian Pietrangelo, Managing Director of Investment StrategyCynthia Honcharenko, Director of Fixed Income Portfolio ManagementGeorge Mateyo, Chief Investment OfficerRajeev Sharma, Head of Fixed IncomeStephen Hoedt, Head of Equities 00:01:35 — Week‑in‑review: jobs steady, productivity strong, prices a bit firmer00:03:05 — Re-cap of this week’s FOMC Meeting00:05:19 — New Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh; implications for policy independence and risk 00:09:58 — Market prices a mid‑year cut; curve steepens as front‑end yields slip00:13:04 — Mega‑cap earnings mixed; AI capex divergence; breadth improving 00:21:08 — Disclosures and methodology; firm and product notices Additional ResourcesRead: 2026 Outlook: Managing Wealth in an Age of Massive Disruption and Profound ChangeRead: Key Questions: Why Have Bond Yields Remained High Even as the Fed Has Cut Rates? Key QuestionsWeekly Investment BriefSubscribe to our Key Wealth Insights newsletterFollow us on LinkedIn