Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for 2nd time

(CNN)– The Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates by a quarter-point for the second time this year.

The announcement came Wednesday afternoon, October 29, 2025.

Economists say the decrease is needed to bolster a struggling job market.

Fed officials are making these decisions without the benefit of federal economic data because of the ongoing government shutdown.

It’s the first time since the 1930’s that they are setting policy without access to a full month of government employment data.