10 % Federal funds rate 8 Recessions 6 4 Lowered to: 2.0% 2 0 1990 2000 2010 2019 10 % Federal funds rate 8 Recessions 6 4 Lowered to: 2.0% 2 0 1990 2000 2010 2019 10 % Federal funds rate 8 Recessions 6 The Fed began raising rates at the end of 2015 4 Lowered to: 2.0% 2 0 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2019 10 % Federal funds rate 8 Recessions 6 The Fed began raising rates at the end of 2015 4 Lowered to: 2.0% 2 0 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2019 Rate is the federal funds target rate until Dec. 15, 2008, and thereafter the upper limit of the federal funds target rate range. | Source: Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered interest rates for the second time this year, as it tries to guard the United States economy against trade-related uncertainty and slowing global growth. The central bank cut borrowing rates in late July for the first time since the financial crisis.

The moves are part of an effort to keep borrowing cheap, credit widely available and businesses and consumers confident.

A so-called inverted yield curve is flashing an economic warning sign

12 % Inversion U.S. Treasuries 10 8 Inversion Inversion 6 10-year 4 Inversion 2 2-year 0 1990 2000 2010 2019 12 % Inversion U.S. Treasuries 10 8 Inversion Inversion 6 10-year 4 Inversion 2 2-year 0 1990 2000 2010 2019 12 % Inversion U.S. Treasuries 10 8 Inversion Inversion 6 10-year 4 Inversion 2 2-year 0 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2019 12 % Inversion U.S. Treasuries 10 8 Inversion Inversion 6 4 Inversion 10-year 2 2-year 0 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2019

Longer-term bonds have been trading at interest rates that are lower than those on short-term securities — what is known as the yield curve inverting. It’s an unusual occurrence that often happens before recessions, and one that could signal that investors have become pessimistic about the economic outlook.

The global economy is slowing as manufacturing activity weakens, and political tensions, including President Trump’s trade war with China, are creating uncertainty for businesses. That is slowing down investment, which could hold back growth.

The Fed keeps a close eye on how fast the economy is expanding because the pace of growth is crucial to its two main goals: reaching maximum employment and maintaining stable inflation around 2 percent. A slowdown could prevent policymakers from hitting their long-elusive inflation goal, and a downturn might lead to higher unemployment.

For now, consumers are powering the economy ahead. Unemployment is low, wages are rising and households are spending. But surveys in recent months have shown consumer sentiment may be wavering, a cause for concern if it bleeds into real-life behavior. Consumers fuel about 70 percent of the economy.

Rates are being lowered around the world

Most recent central bank rate cuts . . . . . . and increases Current rate G.D.P. Pct. points: In trillions 2018 1 1 1 0 +1 –1 –1 2 2 2 2013 Uruguay 9.25 % 2015 Switzerland –0.75 Denmark 0.05 Poland 1.50 China 4.35 $13.4 2016 Japan –0.10 $5.0 Morocco 2.25 Hungary 0.90 Taiwan 1.38 2018 Kuwait 3.00 Colombia 4.25 Romania 2.50 Albania 1.00 Kenya 9.00 Britain $2.8 0.75 Canada $1.7 1.75 Israel 0.25 2019 Sweden -0.25 Ghana 16.00 Tunisia 7.75 Nigeria 13.50 Czech Republic 2.00 Malaysia 3.00 Zambia 10.25 Norway 1.25 Australia $1.4 1.00 Pakistan 13.25 South Africa 6.50 United Arab Emirates 2.50 Hong Kong 2.50 Brazil $1.9 6.00 Peru 2.50 Jordan 4.50 Qatar 4.75 Bahrain 2.50 India $2.7 5.40 Thailand 1.50 New Zealand 1.00 Philippines 4.25 Serbia 2.50 Mauritius 3.35 Belarus 9.50 Namibia 6.50 Mexico 8.00 Indonesia 5.50 Egypt 14.25 Sri Lanka 7.00 Iceland 3.50 Botswana 4.75 Chile 2.00 Ukraine 16.50 Russia $1.6 7.00 Kazakhstan 9.25 Euro Area $13.7 –0.50 Vietnam 4.00 Argentina 84.01 United States 2.00 $20.5 1 1 1 –1 –1 0 +1 2 2 2 Most recent central bank rate cuts . . . . . . and increases Current rate G.D.P. Pct. points: In trillions 2018 1 1 1 0 +1 –1 –1 2 2 2 2013 Uruguay 9.25 % 2015 Switzerland –0.75 Denmark 0.05 Poland 1.50 China 4.35 $13.4 2016 Japan –0.10 $5.0 Morocco 2.25 Hungary 0.90 Taiwan 1.38 2018 Kuwait 3.00 Colombia 4.25 Romania 2.50 Albania 1.00 Kenya 9.00 Britain $2.8 0.75 Canada $1.7 1.75 Israel 0.25 2019 Sweden -0.25 Ghana 16.00 Tunisia 7.75 Nigeria 13.50 Czech Republic 2.00 Malaysia 3.00 Zambia 10.25 Norway 1.25 Australia $1.4 1.00 Pakistan 13.25 South Africa 6.50 United Arab Emirates 2.50 Hong Kong 2.50 Brazil $1.9 6.00 Peru 2.50 Jordan 4.50 Qatar 4.75 Bahrain 2.50 India $2.7 5.40 Thailand 1.50 New Zealand 1.00 Philippines 4.25 Serbia 2.50 Mauritius 3.35 Belarus 9.50 Namibia 6.50 Mexico 8.00 Indonesia 5.50 Egypt 14.25 Sri Lanka 7.00 Iceland 3.50 Botswana 4.75 Chile 2.00 Ukraine 16.50 Russia $1.6 7.00 Kazakhstan 9.25 Euro Area $13.7 –0.50 Vietnam 4.00 Argentina 84.01 United States 2.00 $20.5 1 1 1 –1 –1 0 +1 2 2 2 Most recent central bank rate cuts . . . . . . and increases Current rate G.D.P. in trillions ’18 –1 –1 1 1 1 Pct. points: 0 +1 2 2 2 2013 Uruguay 9.25 % Switzerland –0.75 % Denmark 0.05 2015 Poland 1.50 China 4.35 $13.4 Japan –0.10 % $5.0 Morocco 2.25 2016 Hungary 0.90 Taiwan 1.38 Kuwait 3.00 % Colombia 4.25 Romania 2.50 Albania 1.00 2018 Kenya 9.00 Britain $2.8 0.75 Canada $1.7 1.75 Israel 0.25 Sweden -0.25 % Ghana 16.00 Tunisia 7.75 Nigeria 13.50 Czech Republic 2.00 Malaysia 3.00 Zambia 10.25 Norway 1.25 Australia $1.4 1.00 Pakistan 13.25 South Africa 6.50 United Arab Emirates 2.50 Hong Kong 2.50 Brazil $1.9 6.00 Peru 2.50 Jordan 4.50 Qatar 4.75 Bahrain 2.50 India $2.7 5.40 Thailand 1.50 2019 New Zealand 1.00 Philippines 4.25 Serbia 2.50 Mauritius 3.35 Belarus 9.50 Namibia 6.50 Mexico 8.00 Indonesia 5.50 Egypt 14.25 Sri Lanka 7.00 Iceland 3.50 Botswana 4.75 Chile 2.00 Ukraine 16.50 Russia $1.6 7.00 Kazakhstan 9.25 Euro Area $13.7 –0.50 Vietnam 4.00 Argentina 84.01 United States 2.00 $20.5 –1 –1 1 1 1 0 +1 2 2 2

The United States is in a comparatively strong position compared with other large economic powers: China’s economy has already begun to slow, Japan is nowhere near hitting its inflation target despite negative interest rates and Europe is showing cracks as Germany teeters on the brink of a recession.

Against that backdrop, countries around the world have been cutting borrowing costs. Last week, the European Central Bank cut one of its policy rates to a record low and rolled out a broader package of monetary stimulus.

After the Fed’s move on Wednesday, the focus will quickly turn to whether it will continue cutting rates before the year’s end, or if this move will be enough to keep the American economy humming along.

Based on economic projections released Wednesday, a growing number of Fed officials expect one more reduction this year — in-line with investor and economist expectations.