US Equity Investors to Focus on Fed's Rates Outlook This Week as Cook Fights to Vote in FOMC Meeting

05:22 AM EDT, 09/15/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity investors will focus primarily on the Federal Reserve's policy meeting, while also monitoring an emergency court ruling on the removal of Fed Governor Lisa Cook and trade-tariff talks with India this week.

* The two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting will most likely end with a 25-basis-point fed funds rate cut Wednesday, according to the FedWatch Tool. The FOMC will also release a new Summary of Economic Projections. This report, including a refreshed 'dot plot' of policy rate expectations, will update individual forecasts. Chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference on the same day.

* "Our forecast is for the FOMC to embark upon a steady easing path marked by six consecutive quarter-point rate cuts before landing at a trough of 3% by 2026Q2," Scotiabank said in a note. Other macroeconomic data due this week include retail sales, building permits, industrial production, and initial jobless claims.

* "I think you have a big cut," President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday, news outlets reported. "It's perfect for cutting."

* Trump has asked an appeals court to remove Governor Cook from the Fed's board by Monday, before the vote on interest rates, the Associated Press reported. Still, Cook plans to attend the FOMC meeting, Barron's reported. A federal judge temporarily blocked her dismissal, sought by Trump, and her lawyers say she will continue performing her duties.

* Meanwhile, Council of Economic Advisers Chair Stephen Miran is expected to join the Fed board, Barron's reported. The Senate Banking Committee has advanced Trump's Fed nominee, Miran, for a full vote. He is most likely to be confirmed Monday, according to the report.

* India's chief trade negotiator, Rajesh Agarwal, will travel to Washington for continued discussions with American officials this week. A source familiar with the matter, and quoted in The Economic Times, indicated that the situation remains fluid, with uncertainty surrounding potential US tariff concessions in the coming months.

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