Scott Horsley

Federal Reserve policymakers are meeting in Washington.

When that meeting wraps up tomorrow, the central bank is expected to cut its benchmark interest rate by another quarter percentage point.

That expectation was reinforced by a report last week showing slightly less inflation in September than forecasters had expected.

Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

Even with big swaths of the federal government temporarily idled by the shutdown, spending continues to outpace tax revenues, leaving the government to rely on borrowing to make up the difference.

The cost of the growing debt is compounded by today's interest rates, which are higher than they were a few years ago.

Last month alone, the government had to spend $91 billion just to cover interest payments on the debt.

That outpaced every other line item in the federal budget except for Social Security.

Fiscal watchdog Michael Peterson warns interest costs are likely to crowd out other important investments, acting like a drag on the broader U.S.

economy.

Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

Netflix reported lower-than-expected profits for the first time in more than a year and a half.

The streaming giant blames an unexpected tax bill from Brazil.

Netflix says its programming is still drawing plenty of viewers, and revenues were in line with expectations.

It could be a nail-biting holiday season for Mattel.

The toy maker says big retailers have been cautious about placing orders this year.

Demand for Hot Wheels and action figures are up, but sales of Barbie and other dolls, which are usually the company's biggest sellers, are down.

Inflation in the U.K.

was a little cooler than expected last month.

Here in this country, we'll get the latest inflation scorecard on Friday, just in time for the Federal Reserve's next interest rate decision a week from today.