interest rates

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell, seen before a Senate committee hearing in July. The Fed announced another interest rate bump Wednesday on the strength of a healthy economy.

The Fed Just Raised Its Rate Again. When Will It Start To Hurt Consumers?

4:50pm September 26, 2018

by Colin Dwyer

Bullish stocks, low unemployment, high confidence — from most angles, the economy is strong. But questions linger as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates for the third time in 2018.

President Trump answers a question during a Reuters interview in the Oval Office on Monday. The president again criticized the Fed for raising interest rates.

Trump 'Not Thrilled' With Fed Chairman Over Interest Rate Hikes

7:01pm August 20, 2018

by Jim Zarroli

It was the second time in a month that President Trump had taken aim at the Fed. In a Reuters interview, he also accused China and Europe of manipulating their currencies to gain leverage in trade.

Led by Chairman Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve held steady with no rate increase, but it is expected to raise rates twice more by the end of the year.

Saying Economy Is Strong, Fed Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged For Now

3:45pm August 01, 2018

by Chris Arnold

The Federal Reserve held steady with no rate increase, but it is expected to raise rates twice more by the end of the year. The Fed said "economic activity has been rising at a strong rate."

President Trump looks on as his nominee for Federal Reserve chairman, Jerome Powell, speaks at the White House on Nov. 2. On Thursday, Trump said he is "not thrilled" about Fed interest rate hikes.

Trump Slams Interest Rate Hikes, Ignoring Hands-Off Tradition Toward Fed

5:36pm July 19, 2018

by Avie Schneider

Presidents usually don't comment directly on Fed policy. But President Trump broke with that tradition Thursday, saying, "I'm not thrilled" about the Fed's interest rate increases.

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Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks before the Economic Club of Chicago on April 6. The central bank raised a key short-term rate by a quarter-point on Wednesday, the second increase this year.

Economy

Fed Raises Interest Rates, Signals 2 More Hikes This Year

2:38pm June 13, 2018

by John Ydstie

The Fed boosted a key interest rate again — its seventh hike since 2015. The move, which was expected, will trigger higher rates on credit cards, home equity lines and other kinds of borrowing.

Trader Edward Curran (right) works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday. As Treasury yields topped 3 percent on Tuesday, the Dow Jones industrial average tumbled.

Interest Rate Rise Unsettles Stock Investors; Dow Falls 425 Points

7:44pm April 24, 2018

by John Ydstie

For the first time in four years, the rate on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note crossed 3 percent. While it signals a stronger economy, it makes bonds more attractive investments, undermining stocks.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell testifies during a Senate banking committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on March 1. This week, Powell presided over a Fed policy meeting for the first time since becoming chairman.

Fed Raises Interest Rates Again As New Chairman Steps Into Spotlight

5:03pm March 21, 2018

by John Ydstie

The central bank raised its key interest rate for the first time under Jerome Powell, announcing a quarter-percentage-point hike. Economists wonder if faster growth will mean more aggressive hikes.

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Traders at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 666 points amid signs that interest rates are heading higher.

Economy

Dow Drops 666 Points In Sharp Sell-Off

7:07pm February 02, 2018

by Avie Schneider

Major stock indexes dropped sharply Friday; the Dow Jones industrial average tumbled 2.6 percent amid signs that wage growth is picking up. It was the Dow's worst weekly performance in two years.

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Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, who will step down in February, has said she thinks the forces that have been holding inflation down are temporary and that she expects it will soon be on the rise again.

Fed Raises Interest Rates Again As Economy Rolls On

4:29pm December 13, 2017

by John Ydstie

Policymakers increased a key rate for the third time this year. The quarter-point move indicates the Fed is confident in the economy as it continues to recover from the financial crisis.

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President Trump hasn't said whether he will reappoint Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to a second term. He is expected to announce his decision Thursday.

Fed Holds Key Interest Rate Steady, But Increase Expected In December

5:09pm November 01, 2017

by John Ydstie

At what could be one of Janet Yellen's last meetings as Federal Reserve chair, policymakers decided to keep short-term rates unchanged. But analysts are looking for a rate increase next month.