The Federal Reserve Board cut the Fed Funds rate by 75 basis points to 3 1/2% on January 22 before the U.S. markets opened. The cut came after international markets plunged on January 21 and 22, and amid widespread concerns over a potential recession in the United States and abroad.
In its statement accompanying the move, the Fed says it made the extraordinary cut, outside of its regular Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, which is scheduled to be held January 29-30, because of the “weakening of economic outlook and downside risks to growth.” On December 11, the FOMC lowered its target for the Fed Funds rate 25 bps to 4.25%.