Instead of interest rates, Powell may talk about the Fed’s review of its monetary policy framework—how it balances employment and price stability.

As President Trump’s Middle East trip continues, investors are refocusing on the basics with Walmart earnings, producer inflation, remarks from Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell and a reported blockbuster retail merger.

The Fed Chair leads the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors and chairs the Federal Open Market Committee, setting the course for U.S. monetary policy—everything from interest rates to quantitative easing.

A prominent House Republican who is in charge of a monetary policy task force told Yahoo Finance he still supports Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair on a day when President Trump once again criticized the central bank boss for not lowering interest rates.

Since retaking office, President Trump has relentlessly attacked Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Yet despite the insults, Trump may be keeping Powell around for at least one key reason. The president on Thursday launched his latest attack on Powell, calling him a “fool” after the Fed chose to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday.

Despite pressure from President Donald Trump to slash interest rates, the Federal Reserve was expected to stick to its wait-and-see approach.

The Fed leader discussed the decision to hold rates steady, the outlook for inflation and the economy, and the possible effects of tariffs.

History suggests that President Donald Trump's new "Too Late" nickname for Fed Chair Jerome Powell has a strong chance of coming true. Fed leaders have been criticized as slow to act absent compelling data showing them something needs to be done.