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As focus shifts from inflation to employment, the Fed’s job is still tricky 

Oct 23, 2024
The September rate cut raised hopes for a sturdy labor market into next year and beyond. The effect on jobs, though, may take time.
The labor market has shown strength and fragility this year. Potentially, lower interest rates could be good for business investment and hiring.
Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images

CPI could be Fed's last gut check before interest rate decision

Sep 9, 2024
The monthly inflation gauge, to be released Wednesday, could influence how much the central bank cuts rates next week.
The August consumer price index may be the last major piece of information the Federal Reserve receives before it meets to adjust interest rates. Above, Chair Jerome Powell.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Atlanta Fed’s Bostic calls on patience amid the clamor for interest rate cuts

Aug 15, 2024
Despite high prices, “wages are growing faster than inflation," and families’ purchasing power is growing, he says.
"The first thing I think is inflation is getting back to target in an orderly way," says Raphael Bostic, president and CEO of the Atlanta Fed, about the CPI falling to 2.9%.
Stephen Nowland/Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

How often does the Fed actually achieve its dual mandate — price stability and maximum employment?

Aug 7, 2024
Since the late 1970s, the Federal Reserve has had two main jobs: ensuring stable prices and maximum employment. How often does it achieve both at the same time?
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Federal Reserve lifts interest rates a quarter point

Mar 16, 2022
Citing high inflation and the tight labor market, Fed Chair Jerome Powell announces the first rate hike since 2018.
Powell: The Fed is "committed to bringing inflation back down and also sustaining the economic expansion.”
Tom Williams-Pool/Getty Images

New Fed chair will carrying out the board’s dual mandate

Nov 1, 2017
President Trump is expected to announce who he’s nominating for chair of the Federal Reserve tomorrow. Current Chair Janet Yellen’s term ends in February.  One thing will stay the same after Yellen leaves: the Fed’s dual mandate of balancing inflation and unemployment. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Tapering our own economic expectations

Oct 30, 2013
The Federal Reserve reaffirmed, to no one's surprise, that its stimulus will continue.
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke participates in a meeting of the Board of Governors at the Federal Reserve, October 24, 2013 in Washington DC.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

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