The US Federal Reserve is expected to administer yet another interest rate cut to try to jolt the ailing US economy.
The move follows a surprise cut in interest rates by the European Central Bank last week.
But some analysts said Fed policy-makers may think about taking a pause in their rate-reduction campaign, possibly following any action they might take this week or after the next meeting on June 26th-27th.
"I think the chances are better than 50-50 that we'll get another 50 basis point [1/2 point] cut in interest rates on Tuesday,[tomorrow]" said Mr Lyle Gramley, consulting economist at Mortgage Bankers' Association and a former Fed governor.
But he added: "We're approaching a period in which the Fed is going to go more slowly as it pushes the accelerator on the economy."
The Fed is expected to announce the outcome of its upcoming meeting at around 2.15 p.m. (8.15 p.m. Irish time) tomorrow.
In four moves this year totaling 50 basis-points each, the Fed has taken 2 percentage points off the federal funds rate - the benchmark for short-term US interest rates.
A survey by Reuters taken on Friday showed 24 of the 25 banks and investment firms that trade directly with the Fed predicted a 50-basis-point cut tomorrow.
One dealer thought the central bank would reduce the rate by only 25 basis points.
The US economy, while fragile, has yet to record any contraction in gross domestic product. This is significant since a recession is loosely defined as two straight quarters of shrinking GDP.
According to preliminary estimates from the US Commerce Department it grew at a better-than-expected annual rate of 2 percent in the first quarter.>P>private economists said this figure could be revised down a bit based on the soft February and March retail sales numbers.