During a news conference held by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Wednesday, Powell assured reporters that the central bank is "carefully monitoring" developments having to do with the coronavirus.
The Fed is 'very carefully monitoring' coronavirus situation -Powell
Powell noted that stabilizing global economic growth and diminishing uncertainties around trade policy were both key factors in the Fed's decisions to cut rates three times last year.
But, he added, "uncertainties about the outlook remain, including those posed by the new coronavirus." The outbreak of the new flu-like virus in China has led to fears of a further slowdown in the world's second-largest economy.