Interest Rates Archives

Federal Reserve leaves key rate unchanged as it sees risk of higher prices and higher unemployment

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday, brushing off President Donald Trump’s demands to lower borrowing costs, and said that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen. The Fed kept its rate at 4.3% for the third straight meeting, after cutting it three times in a row at the end of last year. Many economists and Wall Street investors still expect the Fed will reduce rates two or three times this year, but the sweeping tariffs imposed by Trump have injected a tremendous amount of uncertainty into the U.S. economy and the Fed’s policies.… Continue Reading

How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers

NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze.… Continue Reading

Stock market today: Wall Street ends little changed after giving up a big morning gain

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are stabilizing following one of their worst days of the year. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% Thursday to recover some of its loss from Wednesday, when the Federal Reserve said it may deliver fewer cuts to interest rates next year than earlier thought. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 136 points, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3%. The company behind Olive Garden helped lead the market higher after delivering stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Treasury yields were mixed after reports showed the overall economy and the job market may be stronger than expected.… Continue Reading

Stock market today: Wall Street sinks after Fed signals fewer rate cuts next year. Dow drops 1,100

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks sank to their second-worst loss of the year after the Federal Reserve signaled that it may deliver fewer interest rates cuts in 2025 than earlier thought. The S&P 500 dropped 2.9% Wednesday to pull further from its all-time high set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank more than 1,100 points, and the Nasdaq composite dropped 3.6%. Fed officials released projections showing they’re penciling in just two cuts to interest rates next year, instead of the four they were projecting a few months ago. Treasury yields ramped higher to add pressure on the stock market.… Continue Reading

Federal Reserve cuts its key rate by a quarter-point but envisions fewer reductions next year

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point — its third cut this year — but also signaled that it expects to reduce rates more slowly next year than it previously envisioned, largely because of still-elevated inflation. The Fed’s 19 policymakers projected that they will cut their benchmark rate by a quarter-point just twice in 2025, down from their previous estimate in September of four rate cuts. Their new quarterly projections suggest that consumers may not enjoy much lower rates next year for mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and other forms of borrowing.… Continue Reading

Stock market today: Most of Wall Street rises after the Fed cuts interest rates

NEW YORK (AP) — Most U.S. stocks rose as the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again to make things easier for the economy. The S&P 500 climbed 0.7% Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was virtually unchanged, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1.5%. The rate cut was widely expected. What’s less certain going forward is how much Donald Trump’s presidential victory may change things for the Fed. Chair Jerome Powell said it’s too early to know what it will mean for the Fed’s policies. Treasury yields remained lower following the Fed’s announcement. Bank stocks and smaller companies also lagged the market as other Trump trades lost momentum.… Continue Reading