Federal Reserve Set to Raise Interest Rates to 22-Year High Following June Pause
The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates by a quarter-percentage point, resuming its efforts to combat inflation after a brief pause in June. The rate hike would bring the federal funds rate to its highest level since 2001 and marks the 11th increase in nearly 18 months. The focus is also on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's press conference, where investors look for clues about future rate hikes.
While many believe this will be the final increase in the tightening cycle, the resilient economy and tight labor market could pose challenges to controlling inflation. Core prices remain above the Fed's 2% target rate, indicating underlying price pressures. Some Fed officials support additional rate hikes depending on economic progress and inflation trends.
On Friday, Federal Reserve officials breathed a sigh of relief as April’s job data revealed a cooling in wage growth and hiring rates that hark back to pre-COVID-19 days.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell has indicated that the central bank may not raise interest rates further if the economy and inflation continue to cool as expected.
The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates by a quarter-percentage point, resuming its efforts to combat inflation after a brief pause in June.
The minutes from the Federal Reserve's June meeting indicate that a mild recession is expected, accompanied by further interest rate hikes to combat inflation.
The Federal Reserve announced a pause in its rate-hiking campaign, acknowledging the need to wait for the effects to permeate the economy but indicating that more rate hikes are likely this year.
A key measure of US prices, closely monitored by the Federal Reserve, showed an increase in April, indicating persistent inflationary pressures in the economy.
What does this mean for you?
According to the U.S. Labor Department, the employment cost index grew by 1.2% from July through September.
Cozied up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming this week, Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell shared a message with others at its Annual Economic Symposium: interest rates will continue to rise.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has compiled a data analysis that has placed much of the inflation blame squarely on the supply chain.
The strong economy benefits from raising wages and consumers continuing to spend. In a way, this inflationary period is testing the limits.
Higher interest rates mean consumers will pay more to borrow money from institutions.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York is enhancing its supply chain data tracking with new "Supply Availability Indexes."