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Fed lifts rate by a quarter-point and signals more hikes ahead

Feb 1, 2023
The increase is smaller than previous rate hikes but marks the Fed's eighth hike since March in its fight to tame inflation.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Dec. 14.
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Should the Federal Reserve slow interest rate hikes?

Jan 19, 2023
We don’t yet know if the Fed's rate hikes have fully shown up in the economy. That could take many months.
For now, markets are assuming the Federal Reserve will ease up on rate hikes at its next meeting on Feb. 1.
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The Bank of Japan hints at end of ultra-low interest rates

Dec 21, 2022
Despite global and domestic inflation, Japan's central bank held interest rates near zero. But it's just hinted that this policy will change.
By letting interest rates go up, the Bank of Japan could make government bonds more attractive to investors.
Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images

We probably aren't in a recession — but these indicators will tell us if and when we are

Dec 19, 2022
Some signs are already flashing red. Job creation and consumer spending, though, are still chugging along.
“The labor market is still strong," said ZipRecruiter's Julia Pollak. But if it weakens, the U.S. economy may have already entered a recession.
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The Fed is easing up on interest rate hikes. Here's how that could affect the economy.

Dec 14, 2022
The rates on some types of loans have already been coming down.
Interest on certain types of loans, like mortgages, have already been coming down.
Allison Dinner/Getty Images

Fed unleashes three-quarter point rate hike but hints at a pullback

Nov 2, 2022
The Federal Reserve pumped up its benchmark interest rate Wednesday by three-quarters of a point for a fourth straight time but hinted that it could soon reduce the size of its rate hikes.
The Fed’s key short-term rate is now to a range of 3.75% to 4% — its highest level in 15 years.
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The mortgage business right now is even slower than 2008

Oct 12, 2022
Los Angeles mortgage broker Vivian Gueler says high rates, high home prices and a weak stock market are stopping people from buying homes.
High mortgage rates, among other factors, have chilled the recently hot real estate market.
Federic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

It's a big week for earnings calls. Here's what Wall Street is listening for.

Oct 10, 2022
Reports from banks like JPMorgan and consumer companies like PepsiCo can reveal spending trends and signal what businesses see coming.
The Federal Reserve and much of Wall Street hope to see a dip in spending reflected in banks' quarterly earnings, which would signal that the Fed's rate hikes are working. 
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There are fewer job openings in the U.S. That could be a sign that the Fed's rate hikes are working.

Oct 4, 2022
There's less demand for workers in retail and many service sectors.
JOLTS numbers show job openings particularly shrank in the retail sector.
Noam Galai/Getty Images for Old Navy

Homebuilder confidence continues to slide as interest rates continue to rise

Sep 19, 2022
Materials and labor costs are up. Building costs will climb further if interest rates on construction loans rise.
Rising interest rates are not only causing potential homebuyers to hold off on purchases, but increasing the cost of home construction.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images