Fed

Federal Reserve policymakers left rates unchanged, saying they were worried about job growth and did not want higher rates to affect hiring.

Go Ahead, Shop For That Car; The Fed Is Leaving Interest Rates Very Low

4:40pm June 15, 2016

by Marilyn Geewax

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at very low levels. Fed policymakers expressed worries about job growth, so they did not want higher rates to further cool hiring.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen needs to chart a course for the U.S. economy past Brexit, a potential banking crisis in China and other financial obstacles.

Economic Asteroids! No Interest Rate Hike Expected From Fed Yet

3:36pm June 15, 2016

by Chris Arnold

As Fed Chair Janet Yellen tries to chart a course forward for the economy, there are some warning lights blinking on her radar. Wages are rising but there are worries that job growth may have stalled.

Queue Listen Now

Toyota cars for sale are parked at a dealership in Danvers, Mass. Federal Reserve policymakers left rates unchanged Wednesday, which should keep down the costs of car loans and other borrowing.

Want To Remodel? Buy A Car? You Still Have Time To Get A Cheap Loan

5:24pm April 27, 2016

by Marilyn Geewax

Fed policymakers are seeing more risks that could derail the U.S. economy. For example, China's growth is slow and our energy sector is weak. So the Fed chose Wednesday to keep interest rates low.

Traders on the New York Stock Exchange greet the news that the Federal Reserve has decided against another interest rate hike.

Economy

Fed Keeps Rates Steady But Expresses Caution About The Global Economy

3:58pm January 27, 2016

by Jim Zarroli

Federal Reserve policymakers said they believe the U.S. economy is growing at a moderate pace, and that any increases this year will be "gradual."

Pedestrians are reflected in the glass of a window showing share prices at the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Dec. 17. At least five business stories had major impacts in 2015. They involved everything from crashing oil prices to merging beer companies.

Arguably, These Are The 5 Business Stories That Shaped 2015

1:13pm December 27, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

Compared with the Great Recession years, 2015 was a fairly tame time. Still, at least five stories had major impacts. They involved everything from crashing oil prices to merging beer companies.

The Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Fed Leaves Record-Low Interest Rates Unchanged

4:23pm October 28, 2015

by Laura Wagner

The Federal Reserve again decided against raising interest rates from their current level near zero, citing concerns about inflation and job growth.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, speaking at a news conference in Washington on Thursday, said the U.S. economy has been performing well but the global outlook is more uncertain.

Economy

Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged Amid 'Heightened Uncertainties' Abroad

4:24pm September 17, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

The Federal Reserve decided to leave interest rates unchanged at historically low levels, even though the U.S. economy has been gaining strength. The Fed has kept a key rate near zero since late 2008.

A police officer keeps watch outside the Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington, D.C., where policymakers weighed whether to boost interest rates.

The Fed Holds Rates Steady; Here's Who Is Clapping

3:55pm September 17, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

The Federal Reserve chose to leave interest rates unchanged Thursday. For the central bank even a decision to do nothing is a big deal, creating all sorts of winners (homebuyers) and losers (savers).

Do You Use Money? If So, You'll Want To Read This By Thursday

12:51pm September 15, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

This week, the Federal Reserve will be making decisions that could affect your ability to borrow. Because it works behind closed doors, it can seem mysterious. Here's what the Fed is and does.