Federal Reserve

Today is Fed day, and the market has coalesced around ideas that the FOMC will raise rates by 25 basis points. Projections of the future rate path and economic growth also are due. However, Fed Chairman Powell’s remarks after decision could drive the market’s response.

Growing confidence in the banking system drove ideas that the Fed is likely to hike rates by 25 basis points tomorrow. At the same time, signs of "risk-on" trading spilled over from yesterday, with the dollar and Treasuries falling and banking stocks on the rise.

The week begins once again with a focus on banks following the weekend takeover of Credit Suisse and more pressure on regional bank stocks this morning. The FOMC meeting starts tomorrow, with Wednesday’s rate decision still generating uncertainty and driving volatility.

Stocks beat an immediate retreat after the Fed raised rates by 25 basis points Wednesday, but that quickly changed as investors dissected the Fed’s statement and a press conference from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. There seems to be hope that the long upward movement in rates could be approaching a finale.

The market gyrated after the Fed’s 50-basis-point rate hike and economic projections, finishing lower on the day. As investors eyeballed the central bank’s dot-plot of future rate projections, the picture seemed dimmer for Wall Street.

The Fed provides a quarterly “dot plot” with its monetary policy projections for the next several years that can help investors glean the Fed’s thinking about the future.

What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and how does it impact your investments? Economic growth, inflation, and interest rates are all linked to the CPI.

The Federal Reserve responded to last week’s hotter-than-expected CPI report and colder-than-expected consumer sentiment report by raising the overnight rate 75 basis points.

How might rising interest rates impact long-term investing decisions? Discuss the impact of a rate hike on long-term savings: fixed income, long-term care.

Markets are impacted differently by rising interest rates. Make sure you know how rising rates could impact investments and how you can protect your investments.

Understanding the relationships between stocks, bonds, commodities, and currencies can help you identify economic trends and better manage your investments.

In today’s investing climate, having a deeper understanding of bond duration can be vital as interest rates have declined significantly.

Treasury rates can be thought of as the backbone of the global economy. You can use the yield curve, which is a measure of interest rate expectations, to get an idea of economic conditions and trends.

Monthly economic reports can move markets, so you might want to brush up on your macroeconomics. Watch for the jobs report, GDP, and CPI.

Gross domestic product (GDP) data is one key to understanding U.S. economic health. It’s a closely watched number that can affect fiscal and monetary policy as well as corporate planning and strategy.

Although negative rates aren’t officially here, they’re here in reality due to Treasury yields falling below inflation. That means investors might want to consider how to position their portfolios, no matter what the Fed ultimately decides.

Don't fight the Fed. It's an old Wall Street adage, but is it prudent to structure a portfolio around macroeconomic policy intentions? And how would you do it, anyway? Here's a rundown.

Interpreting reports on industrial production and capacity utilization can help traders and investors identify the state of the economic business cycle.

Learn about consumer confidence, consumer sentiment, personal income, and personal spending reports. Understanding measures of market sentiment can help traders and investors see a more complete picture of market fundamentals.

As the COVID-19 pandemic ground commercial activity to a halt in early 2020, the United States turned to fiscal and monetary authorities for help in getting the flagging economy up and running. Here’s a primer on these two types of stimulus.

As the U.S. economy pulled back in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve turned to a tool it used in the 2008–09 financial crisis: quantitative easing (QE). Here’s a crash course for investors.

Millennials lead the way in first-time homebuyer stats and appear ready to move forward with this important milestone. But a few roadblocks still exist.

How might interest rate increases and cuts impact long-term investing decisions? Learn strategies long-term investors might consider to help weather volatility.

Our chief market strategist breaks down the day's top business stories and offers insight on how they might impact your trading and investing.

How might rising interest rates impact your retirement portfolio planning? Learn how rising rates can affect fixed income investments.

What is the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)? It’s a price-weighted index of 30 large stocks, and it’s considered one of the major U.S. equity benchmarks.

Years of rising interest rates appear to be raising demand for the venerable certificate of deposit (CDs). As rates tick higher, it may be time to learn about these fixed income products.

The annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, hosted by the Kansas City Fed, pulled together central bankers and economic policymakers from across the world. Here’s what transpired at the 2018 gathering.

Learn about the Federal Reserve, the central bank of the U.S.—its makeup, policies, dual mandate of full employment and monetary stability, and the importance of Fed meetings.

As the economy continues its march forward after the financial crisis of the last decade, are we finally seeing higher interest rates for CDs and other savings rates?

Jerome Powell takes over at the Federal Reserve at a time when a tight labor market could influence the direction and speed of interest rate hikes.

Annuities might be a good way to protect principal or guarantee retirement income. Learn how rising interest rates might affect annuity rates.

In low-interest rate environment, investors sometimes look to dividend-paying stocks as a mean of generating income.

As the Federal Reserve continues its rate-tightening cycle, is it time to lock in low rates for home and auto loans?

Interest rates may begin to rise for the first time in a while, which may be the first time some younger borrowers and savers have seen a hike in rates.

Investors feeling flooded by all the data generated every day may want to try a new tool that puts all the numbers in one place for comparison and easier unde

Learn why the Fed and traders follow the personal income and spending reports, especially the Personal Consumption Expenditures Index.

Gold and silver prices are up sharply this year. Can precious metals continue to hold their own if economies start improving?

Each month, economists and traders turn to the existing and new home sales reports. Learn how to read and apply these economic reports to your trading.

Negative interest rate policy is a fact in the eurozone and Japan. How has it affected those economies, and what might investors expect if such policy ever ar

What you should know about rising interest rates, and practical trading strategies for dealing with them—approaching Fed decisions in four different arenas.

What if you get a pay hike? Use it to go down a better path for the future and stash it away. Here’s how.

Use a blend of off-the-grid economic data—from search-engine trends to a real-time GDP figure—to help inform investing hunches.

Compare interest-rate-sensitive stock sectors that could benefit or suffer at the hands of a Federal Reserve that’s soon to hike rates.

Only pros care about interest-rate trading, and bonds are boring, right? Not so fast. There’s more to them than meets the eye. Pros don't have all the fun.

Bond and stock investors can look to the yield curve for one measure of inflation and interest rate expectations.

With benchmark U.S. interest rates poised to climb, fixed-income investors should consider the implications for muni bonds.

Cash alone won’t cut it as a lingering low-rate environment challenges income investing.

You can’t fight the Federal Reserve, but at the rate things change today, that doesn't mean you should bury your head in the sand. Fed indicators matter, too.