FED POLICY DIVIDE SHARPENS AHEAD OF POSSIBLE RATE CUT Allies of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell are preparing support for a rate cut at next month’s meeting, even though the move could face multiple dissents. With the Fed unusually divided, the final decision will hinge more heavily than usual on Powell. He is weighing two imperfect options: 1.Cut rates now, as markets expect, while using the post-meeting statement to signal that further cuts are unlikely soon. 2.Hold rates steady and wait for more complete employment and inflation data in January, delayed by the federal government shutdown.(*Walter Bloomberg)