Breaking News: Economy
Sales of existing homes fell in May, and more declines are expected
Sales of existing homes in May dropped 3.4% to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 5.41 million units, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales were 8.6% lower than in May 2021. April’s sales were revised slightly lower as well. This is the weakest reading since June 2020, which was during the early months […]
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Bank of America economist says his ‘worst fears around the Fed have been confirmed’
The Federal Reserve waited too long to start fighting inflation and now runs the risk of dragging the economy into a recession, according to Bank of America’s top economist. On the heels of the central bank’s 75 basis point rate hike Wednesday, BofA global economist Ethan Harris said the Fed is being forced into such […]
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Fed promises ‘unconditional’ approach to taking down inflation in report to Congress
U.S. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell takes questions after the Federal Reserve raised its target interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point to stem a disruptive surge in inflation, during a news conference following a two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) in Washington, June 15, 2022. Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters […]
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Powell vows that the Fed is ‘acutely focused’ on bringing down inflation
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks to reporters after the Federal Reserve raised its target interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point to stem a disruptive surge in inflation, during a news conference following a two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) in Washington, U.S., June 15, 2022. Elizabeth Frantz | […]
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Everyone knows inflation is on fire. This is what’s really fueling it
Meat is seen in a supermarket as rising inflation affects consumer prices in Los Angeles, California, June 13, 2022. Lucy Nicholson | Reuters Inflation doesn’t just happen at the gas pump and grocery store. There are literally hundreds of avenues that filter into broader measures the government uses to gauge price increases. The big three […]
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Fed members predict more hikes with the benchmark rate above 3% by year-end
U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testifies during the Senate Banking Committee hearing titled “The Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress”, in Washington, U.S., March 3, 2022. Tom Williams | Reuters The Federal Reserve said Wednesday it expects the fed funds rate to increase by another roughly 1.75 percentage points over the next four […]
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Watch Fed Chair Powell discuss the central bank’s biggest rate hike in nearly three decades
Stocks climbed higher after Powell leaves the door open for another 75 basis point rate hike The major indexes jumped higher after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated that another 0.75 percentage point rate hike could be possible. Investors cheered central bank officials taking a tougher stance on inflation. At 3:10 p.m. ET, the S&P […]
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Fed hikes its benchmark interest rate by three-quarters of a point, the biggest increase since 1994
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday launched its biggest broadside yet against inflation, raising benchmark interest rates three-quarters of a percentage point in a move that equates to the most aggressive hike since 1994. Ending weeks of speculation, the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee took the level of its benchmark funds rate to a range of […]
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Here’s everything the Fed is expected to announce, including the biggest rate hike in 28 years
US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference in Washington, DC, on May 4, 2022. Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images The Federal Reserve on Wednesday is expected to do something it hasn’t done in 28 years — increase interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point. In response to soaring […]
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Retail sales posted unexpected 0.3% decline in May as inflation hammers consumers
Retail sales turned negative in May as consumers pulled back spending while inflation surged, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Advance retail and food service spending fell 0.3% for the month, below the Dow Jones estimate for a 0.1% gain. Excluding autos, sales were up 0.5%, which fell short of expectations for a 0.8% increase. The […]
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