Why should you care when the Fed hikes its benchmark interest rate?

Dec 14, 2016
A quarter-percent actually means a lot, and it's just the beginning.
Traders in the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index options pit at the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) react to the Federal Reserve's statement that it would increase its benchmark interest rate December 14, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The much-anticipated decision will move the Feds benchmark rate to a range between 0.5 percent and 0.75 percent.
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A Fed rate hike this week is likely — but what lies ahead for 2017?

Dec 13, 2016
When it comes to interest rate hikes, it’s never a done deal until it’s actually done. However, it’s a near certainty that the Fed will raise rates when it meets today and tomorrow. What the interest rate outlook will be for 2017, under a Trump presidency, is far less clear.
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testifies before the Joint Economic Committee of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 17.  In mid-November,  Yellen confirmed that a hike in federal interest rates was on its way soon.
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Why the Fed is changing interest-rate goals

Nov 21, 2016
The interest rate target is worryingly low.
Stanley Fischer testifies before the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee on his nomination to be the Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on March 13, 2014 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. 
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Janet Yellen is not quitting anytime soon

Nov 17, 2016
The president-elect has accused her of being corrupt without providing any evidence, but she's planning to serve out her term.
Federal Reserve Board Chairwoman Janet Yellen waves to members during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, February 25, 2015 in Washington, DC.
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Home building’s up, but mortgage costs could go up too

Nov 17, 2016
Today's housing start numbers are a sign there's demand in a market that's still feeling the financial crisis and the housing bust.
 

 
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Pop quiz: What positions will the next prez appoint?

Oct 20, 2016
D.C. tourists think the Supreme Court, not the Fed.
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How Alan Greenspan transformed the Fed

Oct 11, 2016
Kai Ryssdal talks with Sebastian Mallaby about his new book “The Man Who Knew: The Life and Times of Alan Greenspan”
Alan Greenspan is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Shealah Craighead / George W. Bush Presidential Library Museum

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Yellen says no, the Fed isn't keeping rates low to help Obama

Sep 21, 2016
The Federal Reserve chair was asked about Donald Trump's allegations four times at Wednesday's presser.
Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen speaks during a news conference following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, September 21, 2016 in Washington, DC.
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A boring segment of the stock market is on fire

Sep 19, 2016
With bond yields low, investors are flocking to dividend-paying funds.
 

 
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Should banks get an early peek at stress tests?

Sep 15, 2016
A new report argues the process for developing the tests should be more open.
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