cut-rate

The Fed has cut rates by half a percentage point this year, but Powell and other Fed officials have indicated in recent weeks that they may pause on easing at their December meeting.

Low economic growth raises the prospect that the Swiss National Bank could cut rates to help economic activity and boost inflation, which has been close to zero in recent months.

That has been compounded by a weakening US jobs market that has fanned expectations the Fed will cut rates.

The probability that the Fed will cut rates in December have dropped from a near certainty in October to just over 50%, according CME Group’s data showing the federal-funds rate futures market.

Fed board members questioned whether it makes sense to cut rates again in December, and traders now see only a roughly 50% chance of that happening.