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Federal Reserve policymakers lowered their main interest rate for a second time this year while splitting over the need for further easing, caught between uncertainty over trade and global growth and a domestic economy that’s holding up well.

The Federal Reserve reduced interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis in a move that Chairman Jerome Powell said was designed to “ensure against downside risks” rather than signaling the start of a lengthy cycle of monetary policy easing.

Bond traders have a decent record when it comes to nailing the Federal Reserve’s path relative to official guidance. So while Chairman Jerome Powell says the policy rate is “in a good place,” history suggests his next move could align with what futures are showing — a rate cut.

The Federal Reserve raised borrowing costs for the fourth time this year Dec. 19, ignoring a stock market sell-off and defying pressure from President Donald Trump, while dialing back projections for interest rates and economic growth in 2019.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve signaled its confidence in the U.S. economy Sept. 26 by raising a key interest rate for a third time this year, forecasting another rate hike before year’s end.

Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged, acknowledging inflation is close to target without indicating any intention to veer from their gradual path of interest-rate increases.