Bullard Flags 100-Point Fed Easing Path as BlackRock’s Rieder Eyes Early Cut

Former Federal Reserve official James Bullard said benchmark U.S. interest rates, which he characterized as "high right now," could be lowered by as much as 100 basis points through 2026, contingent on the evolution of economic data. He added that the central bank may consider additional policy actions in 2026 depending on how inflation and labor-market indicators unfold. Separately, Rick Rieder, chief investment officer for global fixed income at BlackRock, said the Federal Reserve could move sooner, arguing that rates are “priced wrong” and should be reduced by 50 basis points at the September 2025 policy meeting. Rieder cited cooling inflation and a slowing jobs market as reasons for an accelerated easing cycle.