Central banking

How the Federal Reserve’s rate policy affects mortgages
Finance

How the Federal Reserve’s rate policy affects mortgages

The Federal Reserve lowered its interest rate target three times in 2024. This has many Americans waiting for mortgage rates to fall. But that may not happen for some time. “I think the best case scenario is we’re going to continue to see mortgage rates hover around six and a half to 7%,” said Jordan […]

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Russian central bank surprises markets by holding key rate at 21%
World

Russian central bank surprises markets by holding key rate at 21%

MOSCOW, Russia: The Russian central bank has cut its key interest rate by 300 basis points for a third time since its emergency hike in late February, citing cooling inflation and a recovery in the ruble. KIRILL Kudryavtsev | AFP | Getty Images Russia’s central bank on Friday unexpectedly left its key interest rates unchanged […]

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CNBC Daily Open: In search of certainty, markets find volatility instead
World

CNBC Daily Open: In search of certainty, markets find volatility instead

A television station on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange broadcasts Jerome Powell, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, speaking after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Dec. 18, 2024. Michael Nagel | Bloomberg | Getty Images This report is from today’s CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open […]

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CNBC Daily Open: In search of certainty, markets find volatility instead
World

CNBC Daily Open: More certainty of increased volatility

A television station on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., broadcasts U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Michael Nagel | Bloomberg | Getty Images This report is from today’s CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed […]

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The Fed’s rate outlook has rattled markets. Here’s what it means for global central banks
World

The Fed’s rate outlook has rattled markets. Here’s what it means for global central banks

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference where he announced the Fed had cut interest rates by a quarter point following a two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee on interest rate policy in Washington, U.S., Dec. 18, 2024. Kevin Lamarque | Reuters The U.S. Federal Reserve roiled markets Wednesday […]

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The Fed’s hawkish signal sparked gold jitters — but analysts see support for the precious metal in 2025
World

The Fed’s hawkish signal sparked gold jitters — but analysts see support for the precious metal in 2025

Close up stack of gold bars. Vector Photo Gallery | Istock | Getty Images The U.S. Federal Reserve jolted markets with an unexpectedly hawkish set of projections for the path of interest rates next year, setting gold prices up for a blow — but analysts told CNBC they still see solid support for the precious […]

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Bank of England holds interest rates at 4.75% after inflation uptick
World

Bank of England holds interest rates at 4.75% after inflation uptick

The Bank of England pictured in December 2024. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images LONDON — The Bank of England on Thursday ended its last meeting of the year with a decision to leave interest rates unchanged, after U.K. inflation rose to an eight-month high. Economists had widely expected a rate hold at the […]

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Bank of Japan holds rates at 0.25%
World

Bank of Japan holds rates at 0.25%

Bank of Japan governor Kazuo Ueda attends a press conference after a two-day monetary policy meeting at the BOJ headquarters in Tokyo on October 31, 2024. Richard A. Brooks | Getty Images The Bank of Japan on Thursday held its benchmark interest rate steady at 0.25%. The decision comes a day after the U.S. Federal […]

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New Zealand sinks into recession, more rate cuts coming
World

New Zealand sinks into recession, more rate cuts coming

Buildings in Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. Photographer: Fiona Goodall/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images New Zealand’s economy sank into recession in the third quarter as activity dived far more sharply than expected and output in the prior quarter was slashed, a dire result that cements the case for […]

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Fed cuts by a quarter point, indicates fewer reductions ahead
World

Fed cuts by a quarter point, indicates fewer reductions ahead

WASHINGTON – The Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point, the third consecutive reduction and one that came with a cautionary tone about additional reductions in coming years.  In a move widely anticipated by markets, the Federal Open Market Committee cut its overnight borrowing rate to a target […]

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