US Fed leans toward a cut

Analysts expect the bank to reduce rates by a quarter point this week

US President Donald Trump's frequent badgering of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to cut interest rates may complicate what should be a routine decision when the Fed meets this week.

A few analysts expect the Fed's board of governors to cut rates by a quarter point when they meet on Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington. Such a move would stimulate the economy following last month's tepid jobs report. But cutting rates now might be seen as giving in to Trump's demands and that could damage the Fed's reputation for independence-especially after the president called for rates to be cut by a full percentage point in April.