The Federal Reserve is almost certain to cut its target range to 3.75 to 4 per cent when it meets on October 29 amid continued signs of labour market slack. With

Traders are betting on a smooth series of interest-rate cuts, but Fed officials are signaling slower cuts with long pauses in between them.

The Federal Reserve is expected to move forward with another rate cut on Wednesday despite an economic data blackout due to the government shutdown.

The Federal Reserve convenes its policy meeting this week as the government shutdown leaves central bankers without most official data to make a decision on setting interest rates.