The debate for the Federal Reserve is beginning to shift from how many times to cut interest rates this year to whether to cut them at all in 2024. With policymakers widely expected to hold rates steady at a more than two-decade high at the conclusion of their meeting Wednesday, so much of the focus will be on any pivot in the tone of the post-meeting statement and Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference. Officials are also expected to announce a near-term slowing in the reduction of the Fed’s $7.4 trillion balance sheet — a move that’s independent from any decision on interest-rate timing. Policymakers have voiced ... (full story)