Fed Reveals Surprise Shift as Several Officials Ponder Hike (1)

Feb. 18, 2026, 10:23 PM UTC

Federal Reserve officials appeared surprisingly wary of cutting interest rates when they met last month, with several even suggesting the central bank may need to raise rates if inflation remains stubbornly high.

While the minutes of the central bank’s Jan. 27-28 policy meeting, released Wednesday, fell far short of suggesting most officials were contemplating the possibility of rate increases, they made clear the Fed is shifting further away from agreeing on another cut.

That could put it on a collision course with President Donald Trump and complicate the task of Trump’s nominee for Fed chair, Kevin Warsh.

Trump has ...

Learn more about Bloomberg Government or Log In to keep reading:

See Breaking News in Context

Providing news, analysis, data and opportunity insights.

Already a subscriber?

Log in to keep reading or access research tools and resources.