The Changing of the Guard.
The Changing of the Guard. Dear investor. Today, the Federal Reserve held rates unchanged for the third consecutive meeting, keeping the benchmark rate at 3.5 % to 3 .75 %. The decision was expected. What was not expected was the drama surrounding it. For the first time since October 1992 , four FOMC members dissented, not over the decision to hold, but over the language. Three members wanted the easing bias removed entirely from the statement, signaling that a rate hike is as possible as a cut. That is a divided house. And a divided house introduces uncertainty. For gold and silver, uncertainty has always been a tailwind. This was Jerome Powell's final meeting as Fed Chair. His term ends May 15 . He leaves having navigated the most turbulent monetary cycle in a generation. Kevin Warsh, Trump's nominee to succeed him, was advanced by the Senate Banking Committee earlier today and is widely expected to be confirmed. Markets have been studying Warsh ...