The Fed Eases Rates But What Comes Next?
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced another interest rate cut of 0.25%, taking the target range to 4.25%-4.50%, a full 1% lower since September. Two more 0.25% cuts are on the table for 2025, with the Fed eyeing a policy rate of 3.75%-4% by year-end. Chair Jerome Powell emphasized a more cautious approach to rate cuts going forward, emphasizing his view that the current Fed funds rate properly balances the Fed’s dual mandate of maximum employment and stable prices.
BlackRock’s Kate Moore Sees ‘Sticky’ Inflation, Market Volatility Ahead
As U.S. markets hit record highs and inflation data sends mixed signals, investors are navigating an increasingly complex landscape heading into the second Trump administration. Kate Moore, head of thematic strategy at BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager with $11.5 trillion in assets, warns that markets are likely to see ups and downs in early 2025 rather than continuing their steady rise.
From the Slopes to Startups: How Madelyn Merchant is Carving Her Path in Fintech
“Pizza! French fries! Pizza! French fries!” Madelyn Merchant (Class of 2025) yelled, coaxing a group of preschoolers down a beginner ski slope in Sun Valley, Idaho. It was 2018, and Merchant, fresh out of undergrad, had traded the office grind for the fresh air of the mountains. She had always wanted to be a ski instructor, and here she was, guiding her students through the basics, teaching them how to steer their skis with simple shapes. But there was something else she was learning in those moments on the mountain — something that had little to do with skiing.
Trump Will Bring Change for Business, Economy. Darden Experts Have Ideas.
From taxes to tariffs, trade to regulations, change is coming for business and economic interests during the second presidency of Donald Trump. The Darden Report checked in with Darden School of Business experts to get reactions on some areas that seem certain to be affected by another Trump administration, combined with a Republican-controlled Congress.
UVA Darden Student Isabela Batista’s Journey from Favela to Finance
When Isabela Batista (Class of 2025) left her growing business in Rio de Janeiro to attend the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, she wasn’t just pursuing an MBA — she was pushing her limits.
How To Handle Holiday Spending? This UVA Expert Shares Tips
As days grow shorter and holidays approach, the expenses of the coming months weigh on the minds of many. Tickets to buy to visit loved ones, gift shopping and hosting expenses loom, even as sales, such as Black Friday, approach. So, how do you best take advantage of sales without overspending? And why is it so hard to budget accurately?
