Business
What Is The Federal Reserve And Why Trump Removed Its Governor
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“Trump’s unprecedented removal of US Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook comes amid his criticism that the central bank’s high interest rates hurt his economic agenda
If Trump succeeds in removing Lisa Cook, he will be able to nominate her successor, potentially reshaping the Fed’s governing board for the next several years. (AP/File)
President Donald Trump on Monday abruptly removed Lisa Cook from her position as a governor of the US Federal Reserve Board, effective immediately. Cook, who has not faced any accusations or convictions, said her dismissal lacks legal justification and confirmed she has no intention of resigning.
This unprecedented move by Trump comes amidst his outspoken criticism of the Federal Reserve for not reducing interest rates, which he believes undermines his efforts to strengthen the US economy.
Cook, the first black woman to serve as a Fed governor, stated, “President Trump attempted to dismiss me ‘with reason’, while there is no such reason under the law. He has no right to do so.” She affirmed, “I will not resign. I will continue to perform my duties to help the US economy, as I have been doing since 2022.”
Cook, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, has engaged high-profile lawyer Abbe Lowell to represent her. Cook previously held positions at the US Treasury and the White House under former President Barack Obama.
Lowell commented, “President Trump has once again resorted to social media to ‘attack via tweet’ and once again his threatening response is flawed. His demands lack any due process, basis, or legal authority.” He emphasised, “We will take whatever action is necessary to stop his illegal action.”
He said that Cook plans to file a lawsuit challenging her dismissal. A Federal Reserve spokesman did not immediately comment on Trump’s letter.
This episode could lead to a prolonged legal battle, with significant stakes including the credibility of the US dollar as the world’s safe currency.
The Federal Reserve And Its Board of Governors
The US Federal Reserve comprises 12 reserve banks, each with a president, and a seven-member board of governors. The Fed has five key roles: conducting US monetary policy, promoting financial system stability, supervising and regulating financial institutions, promoting the safety and efficiency of payment and settlement systems, and promoting consumer protection and community development.
The Board of Governors, an agency of the US federal government, plays a crucial role in guiding the operations of the Federal Reserve System and overseeing the reserve banks. Its members are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, but the board reports to and is directly accountable to Congress.
Allegations Against Cook
Trump has accused Cook of making false statements regarding loans on two houses in 2021.
He wrote, “For example, as detailed in the criminal referral, you signed a document certifying that a property in Michigan would be your primary residence for the next year.”
He continued, “Two weeks later you signed another document for a property in Georgia, stating that it would be your primary residence for the next year.”
Trump claimed that it is unthinkable that Cook was not aware of her first commitment when she made the second.
He concluded, “Given your deceptive and potentially criminal conduct in financial matters, the American people cannot trust your honesty and neither do I. At a minimum, this conduct demonstrates gross negligence in financial transactions, which calls into question your qualifications and credibility as a financial regulator.” Interest rates on loans for houses designated as primary residences in the US are low.
Legality Of Trump’s Move
Under the Federal Reserve Act, each member holds office for a term of fourteen years from the expiration of their predecessor’s term, unless removed earlier by the president for cause. ‘Cause’ typically means misbehaviour or incapacity while in office.
Trump stated, “I have found that sufficient cause exists to remove you from office.”
In a statement issued through her lawyers, Cook maintained that Trump had attempted to fire her without any legal cause or authority. Questions arise whether Cook can be fired while the investigation is pending and if Trump has sufficient evidence to claim ’cause.’
Historically, the US central bank has been shielded from direct political actions, and the US Supreme Court indicated this May that it is willing to provide broader protections to Fed governors.
The court stated, “The Federal Reserve is a uniquely structured, quasi-private entity that follows the distinguished historical tradition of America’s First and Second Banks.”
Potential Outcome If Cook Is Removed
If Trump succeeds in removing Cook, he will be able to nominate her successor, potentially reshaping the Fed’s governing board for the next several years. Fed governors typically serve 14-year terms. Two of the current seven governors, Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, were appointed by Trump. Trump appointed Jerome Powell as the chairman of the Federal Reserve in 2017.
As of Monday, the Board of Governors had six members, including Cook, with one seat vacant following Adriana Kugler’s resignation earlier this month. Trump has nominated Stephen Miran, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, to fill Kugler’s place. If Miran’s appointment is confirmed by the Senate and Trump succeeds in removing Cook and appointing her successor, Trump will secure a 4-3 majority on the board.
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Ferrari technicians inspect supercars on the production line inside the company’s factory in Maranello, Italy, October 2, 2025. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo
Remo Casilli | Reuters
DETROIT — Ferrari on Tuesday beat Wall Street’s first-quarter earnings expectations and reconfirmed its guidance for the year, weeks ahead of the sports car maker revealing its first all-electric vehicle.
Here’s how the company performed in the first quarter compared with average estimates compiled by LSEG:
- Earnings per share: 2.33 euros (US $2.72) adjusted vs. 2.27 euros expected
- Revenue: 1.85 billion euros vs. 1.81 billion euros expected
Ferrari’s revenue was up more than 3% compared with 1.79 billion euros during the first quarter of 2025, while its operating profit and adjusted earnings increased 1.1% and 4.2% year-over-year, respectively.
The company’s 2026 guidance includes 7.5 billion euros in net revenues and an adjusted operating profit of at least 2.22 billion euros, or 9.45 euros adjusted EPS. Its industrial free cash flow is targeted at 1.5 billion euros or more for the year.
Those results were despite deliveries being down 4.4% year-over-year to 3,436 units, as the sports car maker said it slowed production to “ease the execution of the planned model change-over.”
The company said deliveries “were not impacted by the surge of hostilities in the Middle East, as Ferrari leveraged its geographical allocation flexibility, bringing forward certain deliveries to other regions.”
Ferrari’s results come weeks before the scheduled debut of the Luce, its first fully electric vehicle, on May 25.
“With only twenty days to the world premiere of the Ferrari Luce, the sense of anticipation has never been so high. The Ferrari Luce brings together so much extraordinary technologies and the passion of so many people. It is the evidence of how tradition and innovation can come together to create something unique,” Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said in a statement Tuesday.
Business
India among most resilient large EMs, better placed for future global shocks; policy reforms & strong buffers help: Moody’s – The Times of India
Amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, a recent report by Moody’s Ratings says that recent global shocks have shown India’s resilience among emerging economies to withstand pressures. The report credits the resilience to timely policy measures and the buildup of robust buffers.“India and Thailand are the sovereigns better placed to manage future global shocks. In both cases, the key policy choices that support stability were made well before the recent stress period,” Moody’s says.In its latest study on emerging-market sovereigns, the agency notes that India has ranked among the more resilient economies since 2020, based on multiple indicators such as sovereign bond spreads, domestic yield movements, and exchange-rate stability.The report highlights the following points of strength:Monetary policy frameworks are clear and predictable, inflation expectations are better anchored, and exchange rates are allowed to adjust when needed. This reduces the risk that currency moves turn into persistent inflation or force abrupt policy shifts.
Both countries should also enter future periods of stress with strong and accessible buffers. India’s reliance on domestic funding is balanced by deep local markets and sizeable reserves, the report says.However it notes that India’s relatively high debt burden and weak fiscal balance limit the amount of space available to respond to successive shocks, while Thailand’s rising debt burden risks reducing resilience over time.The report points out that India has consistently demonstrated notable strength during periods of global volatility. Movements in credit spreads have been limited and short-lived, currency depreciation has remained controlled, and fluctuations in local bond yields have been orderly. These factors have helped the country retain uninterrupted access to financial markets even during turbulent phases.
It underscores the role of India’s sizeable foreign-exchange reserves, which have helped stabilise the currency and maintain investor confidence during episodes of global stress, setting it apart from more vulnerable peers.Another key factor has been the presence of a transparent and consistent monetary policy framework. The adoption of inflation targeting well before recent global disruptions has ensured that inflation expectations remain anchored, thereby improving the economy’s ability to absorb external shocks.When compared with relatively more fragile economies such as Türkiye, Argentina and Nigeria, India has largely managed shocks through adjustments in prices rather than prolonged financing stress. This has been supported by deeper domestic financial markets and stronger policy credibility.
Rupee tumbled to a record low of 95.40 against US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, falling another 17 paise after already ending the previous session at its weakest-ever closing mark. Previously on Monday, the currency had declined sharply by 39 paise to close at 95.23 against the greenback.This comes as global uncertainty continues to be fueled by intensifying Middle East tensions, dragging down financial markets. Crude oil prices have remained elevated, intensifying concerns around inflation and slowing economic growth. During Monday’s trade, rupee opened at 94.95 in the interbank foreign exchange market before sliding throughout the session to settle at 95.23.The cautious sentiment was reflected on Dalal Street as well as benchmark indices tumbled in red. BSE Sensex was trading at 77,090.12, down 179.28 points or 0.23% as of 9:40 am. NSE Nifty50 also dipped to 24,036.95, down 63.85 points or 0.26%.Dilip Parmar, Senior Research Analyst, HDFC Securities told PTI, “The Indian rupee has hit a record low as the dollar recovered and crude oil prices held firm. This ongoing surge in oil prices, combined with foreign fund outflows, is putting a visible strain on India’s trade balance and broader economy. Persistent dollar demand is expected to keep the pressure on the rupee in the short term, driving the USD/INR higher toward the 95.35 and 95.70 levels.“Foreign Institutional Investors remained net buyers in equities worth Rs 2,835.62 crore on Monday, based on exchange figures. In the commodity market, oil prices continued to soar. Crude oil prices were trading at nearly $113 per barrel on May 5 as fresh attacks in the Strait of Hormuz heightened fears over the stability of the US-Iran ceasefire.
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