BlackRock Senior Managing Director Rick Rieder speaks at the Delivering Alpha conference in New York City on September 28, 2023.
Adam Jeffery | CNBC
BlackRock bond chief Rick Rieder’s star is rising as a potential Federal Reserve chairman following flattering comments from President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
In a CNBC interview, Trump called Rieder “very impressive” after a recent meeting between the two. Rieder is one of the few finalists in the race to succeed current Chairman Jerome Powell when his term expires in May.
Trump also suggested he was close to making a decision, as the field of candidates that started at 11 is now “reduced to maybe one,” the president said during the interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Following his comments, traders on the Kalshi prediction market increased the odds of Rieder getting the nomination to 33%, about double what it was earlier in the week. Rieder did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh remains in the lead at 45%, but that’s down about 14 points from Monday.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who led the candidate selection process, told CNBC earlier this week that he expected Trump to announce a decision next week.
– Disclosure: CNBC and Kalshi have a business relationship.