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Wall Street Week Ahead: Federal Reserve Decision on Interest Rates, Retail Sales Update
Wall Street expects the central bank to keep rates steady or raise them as inflation stays above 3% and August retail sales are released.
The Federal Reserve concludes its two-day meeting on Wednesday, potentially raising benchmark interest rates as Wall Street watches for signals on inflation control.
Disrupting global oil supplies, the war with Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, pushing Inflation stubbornly above 3% and pressuring central bank policy throughout the year.
Wall Street anticipates at least one rate hike by year-end as The Fed monitors Inflation, which remains well above its 2% target, constraining policy options.
President Donald Trump has pressured The Fed to lower interest rates instead, arguing that growth stimulus outweighs risks of worsening Inflation through monetary easing.
Wednesday's Aug retail sales data will reveal consumer spending patterns as Higher costs from the Strait of Hormuz closure continue straining household budgets nationwide.