Some Fed watchers are looking at the September FOMC meeting for the next rate cut, pending the outcome of tariff inflation and the unemployment rate. A 12-0 vote to hold interest rates steady would be a powerful signal of a strong conviction among the members of the FOMC.

Longer-term interest rates do not always decrease when the Fed cuts short-term rates. Following the Fed's cuts last year, 10-year bond yields increased, hitting a high of 4.8% in January, according to Open Markets. Mortgages are closely linked to the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield.