Apr 06 Is the Fed going to cut interest rates? What was once a question of ‘when’ is now less certain By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press When the Federal Reserve signaled last fall that it was likely done raising interest rates, many began wondering when it would start cutting rates. But with the U.S. economy showing surprising vigor, a different question has arisen: Will the central… Continue reading
Apr 05 U.S. employers added 303,000 jobs in March in surprising show of economic strength By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press America's employers delivered another outpouring of jobs in March, adding a sizzling 303,000 workers to their payrolls and bolstering hopes that the economy can vanquish inflation without succumbing to a recession in the face of high interest rates. Continue reading
Apr 03 Powell says the Federal Reserve still sees rate cuts this year; election timing won’t affect decision By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Federal Reserve officials will likely reduce their benchmark interest rate later this year, Chair Jerome Powell said, despite recent reports showing that the U.S. economy is still strong and that U.S. inflation picked up in January and February. Continue reading
Mar 29 Powell says the Federal Reserve wants to see ‘more good inflation readings’ before it can cut rates By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press Forecasters had expected higher rates to send the United States tumbling into recession. Instead, the economy just kept growing — expanding at an annual rate of 2 percent or more for six straight quarters. Continue reading
Mar 20 WATCH: Federal Reserve’s Powell holds briefing after interest rate meeting as inflation slows By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press In new quarterly projections they issued, the policymakers forecast that stronger growth and inflation above their 2 percent target level would persist into next year. As a result, they suggested that interest rates would have to stay slightly higher for… Continue reading
Mar 07 Federal Reserve regulatory proposal criticized by banks, NAACP will be revised by end of year By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press The banks argue that the proposal would limit their ability to lend and would exceed what is necessary to match the global rules. Continue reading
Mar 06 Watch 4:03 News Wrap: Fed chair says interest rates could be cut this year In our news wrap Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says interest rates could be cut this year if inflation keeps falling, Alabama lawmakers moved to shield IVF providers, politicians in Haiti try to form a new governing coalition, a… Continue watching
Feb 29 Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge picked up last month in sign of still-increased prices By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press An inflation gauge favored by the Federal Reserve increased in January, the latest sign that the slowdown in U.S. consumer price increases is occurring unevenly from month to month. Continue reading
Feb 08 Inflation is nearly back to 2 percent. So why isn’t the Federal Reserve ready to cut rates? By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Inflation, as measured by its preferred gauge, rose in the second half of 2023 at an annual rate of about 2 percent — the Fed's target level. Continue reading
Feb 02 Watch 6:43 What the strong jobs report means for the Fed’s plan to lower interest rates By Courtney Norris, Amna Nawaz The labor market was running hot again last month as U.S. employers added 353,000 jobs, double what many expected. It's been resilient for months despite predictions of a recession last year. At the same time, the Federal Reserve indicated it’s… Continue watching