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
Jan 31 WATCH: Federal Reserve signals that interest rate cuts aren’t imminent and leaves them unchanged for now By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press The Federal Reserve indicated Wednesday that it’s nearing a long-awaited shift toward cutting interest rates, a sign that its officials have grown confident that they're close to fully taming inflation. But the Fed also signaled that the first rate cut is likely… Continue reading
Jan 29 Economists expect Federal Reserve to cut rates sometime this year as inflation slows By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Inflation is getting close to the Fed’s target rate, the economy is still growing at a healthy pace and the unemployment rate is near a half-century low. Most economists say they expect the first rate cut to occur in May… Continue reading
Dec 13 Watch 5:32 Interest rates remain unchanged, but Federal Reserve signals cuts coming in 2024 By Stephanie Sy, Shoshana Dubnow The Federal Reserve opted to leave interest rates unchanged, but Fed Chairman Jerome Powell suggested there may be as many as three rate cuts next year. Powell said rate hikes appear to be over for now and the economy is… Continue watching
Dec 13 Federal Reserve keeps key interest rate unchanged and foresees 3 rate cuts next year By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Those envisioned rate cuts — which wouldn't likely begin until the second half of 2024 — suggest that the officials think high borrowing rates will still be needed for much of next year to further slow spending and inflation. Continue reading
Dec 13 WATCH: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds news briefing following interest rate meeting By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday for a third straight time, and its officials signaled that they expect to make three quarter-point cuts to their benchmark rate next year. Continue reading
Dec 11 Speculation about eventual rate cuts is rising, but Fed is set to leave interest rates unchanged By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press With inflation edging closer to the Federal Reserve's 2 percent target, its policymakers are facing — and in some cases fueling — hopes that they will make a decisive shift in policy and cut interest rates next year, possibly as… Continue reading
Nov 09 Powell reinforces the Federal Reserve’s cautious approach toward further interest rate hikes By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell suggested that the Fed is in no hurry to further raise its benchmark interest rate, given evidence that inflation pressures are continuing to ease at a gradual pace. Continue reading
Nov 01 WATCH: Jerome Powell holds briefing after Fed leaves key interest rate unchanged By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press At a news conference after the meeting, Chair Jerome Powell suggested that the Fed was edging ever closer to the end of its rate-hiking campaign. Continue reading
Oct 19 U.S. may need slower economic growth to beat inflation, Fed chair says By Christopher S. Rugaber, Associated Press Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said inflation remains too high and that bringing it down to the Fed’s target level will likely require a slower-growing economy and job market. Continue reading