Topic: Federal Funds Rate
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The Fed speaks: Five times Federal Reserve chairmen made waves with words
The Federal Reserve, the institution tasked with guarding the economy against inflation and financial instability, has long made headlines for its words as well as its actions. Here's a look at some moments when a Fed chairman has made waves with his words.
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2011 predictions: interest rates around the world
Currency analysts pay obsessive attention to economic factors that indicate the direction of interest rates, because interest rates represent the price of a currency. Any price change has a direct impact on the currency’s value. That can mean huge gains or losses for currency traders, but it also has a big impact on what savers earn, borrowers pay, consumers shell out for imported goods, and global companies plan in terms of compensation and hiring. In 2010, the stress on various currencies became clear, causing many central banks to push interest rates to record lows. Here’s a look at how those forces could play out in 2011 in six major regions of the world:
All Content
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How Greek economic woes could help US consumers
Fears that Greece may default on its debt are spurring interest in US Treasury bonds, driving down interest rates on mortgages and auto loans – but not (alas) for credit card debt.
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The Daily Reckoning
Debt outpacing growth and the case of Japan
Japan couldn't trick its way out of an economic meltdown, and neither can the US.
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New window on Fed thinking: Interest rates to stay low until 2014
Delivering on a recent promise to convey its policy intentions more transparently to investors and the public, the Fed said it expected to keep short-term interest rates low into 2014.
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Stocks bounce on low interest rate promises
The Dow rose 83 points to close at 12758, its highest close since May 2011, after the Federal Reserve pledged to keep interest rates near zero for almost three more years.
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Federal Reserve unveils plan to be a little less secretive
The Federal Reserve intends to begin releasing a quarterly interest-rate forecast as a service to investors and to counter critics who say it is not transparent enough.
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The Circle Bastiat
Wait, did the Fed bail out a bank last week?
The evidence is circumstantial, but some think that the Federal Reserve's spending indicates that it may have bailed out a major bank.
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The New Economy
Fixed mortgage rates: How low will they go?
Fixed mortgage rates could go down another half percentage point. But if refinancing can save serious money now, homeowners should grab lower fixed mortgage rates now.
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Lower interest rates: So what?
Lower interest rates for mortgages, other loans could help consumers. But Fed's move to lower interest rates hurts savers and may not buoy stocks.
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The Circle Bastiat
Why Bernanke's analysis is wrong
Washington leadership's anti-market rhetoric is to blame for our current economic woes
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Federal Reserve more likely to do third round of easing: pros
Federal Reserve will start purchasing assets again, some market observers predict. The chances of the Federal Reserve starting another round of quantitative easing shot up in the last week as markets became unstable.
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Fed's interest-rate move wows Dow, but is also sign of plodding recovery
The Dow recovered almost 430 points Tuesday, after the Fed said it would keep short-term interest rates low until mid-2013. But the Fed's surprise move also points to expectations for slow recovery.
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Futures market tumbles after S&P downgrade of US
Futures market for US stock fell on Monday after the US credit rating was reduced from AAA to AA+ on Friday. For the Dow, the futures market fell 200 points, S&P 500 futures fell 24 points, and Nasdaq futures fell 44 points.
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Stocks sink as US comes closer to a default
Stocks fell again on Wednesday, with the Dow losing 199 points, as lawmakers in Washington remained at odds over a debt solution
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The Simple Dollar
Interest rates: Will savers ever see them rise again?
Interest rates are so low now that it makes sense to pay off even low-interest debt. But interest rates will rise again.
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On the Economy
Cut government spending and grow? I say no.
Those who advocate cutting government spending now in order to grow the economy are doing make-believe, not math.
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Fed still lacks 'exit strategy,' but talks are heating up
Federal Reserve policy committee has most pointed discussion in a year over how to start tightening once the time comes, according to one source.
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The Fed speaks: Five times Federal Reserve chairmen made waves with words
The Federal Reserve, the institution tasked with guarding the economy against inflation and financial instability, has long made headlines for its words as well as its actions. Here's a look at some moments when a Fed chairman has made waves with his words.
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The Entrepreneurial Mind
Inflation: how small businesses can deal with soaring prices
Large businesses may be more ready to handle rising costs in material in fuel, but small businesses can prepare for inflation, too
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Japan earthquake rattles world markets
Japan earthquake drives down major European markets at close. US stocks at midday also down as investors try to evaluate impact of new 7.4 magnitude Japan earthquake.
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Unemployment drop boosts stocks
Unemployment report showing a gain of 216,000 jobs provided a lift for stocks. With unemployment rate at a two-year low, the Dow rose 56 points.
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Interest rates should go up: Fed official
Interest rates, now at historic lows, should be raised, says Philadelphia Fed president. He argues the central bank should push up interest rates in 'the not-too-distant future.'
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The Daily Reckoning
Will the yen face a repeat of 1995?
After an earthquake in 1995, the yen appreciated quite a bit. But this time may be different.
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The Daily Reckoning
More inflation to come?
Inflation could get much, much higher, and the stakes aren't getting any lower.
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Robert Reich
Budget cuts pour gas on Republican flame
The coming debate over spending cuts has nothing to do with reviving the economy.
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2011 predictions: interest rates around the world
Currency analysts pay obsessive attention to economic factors that indicate the direction of interest rates, because interest rates represent the price of a currency. Any price change has a direct impact on the currency’s value. That can mean huge gains or losses for currency traders, but it also has a big impact on what savers earn, borrowers pay, consumers shell out for imported goods, and global companies plan in terms of compensation and hiring. In 2010, the stress on various currencies became clear, causing many central banks to push interest rates to record lows. Here’s a look at how those forces could play out in 2011 in six major regions of the world:
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