Mortgage rates and the Federal Reserve, explained

Dec 9, 2019
Here's why long-term interest rates don't always move with the Fed.
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Fed meets ahead of interest rate decision

Oct 30, 2019
Economists think another interest rate cut is on the way.
A view of the U.S. Federal Reserve building. 
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A divided Fed reduces rates but may not cut again this year

Sep 18, 2019
The modest cut — to a range of 1.75% to 2% — irritates Trump, who has insisted on more aggressive action.
Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve's board of governors, speaks during a conference at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in June.
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Why the Fed decided to be transparent

Jul 30, 2019
The Federal Reserve used to be an economic black box. Now Chair Powell holds press conferences throughout the year. How'd it get to this point?
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell decided to hold press conferences after each Federal Open Market Committee meeting beginning in January.
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What the Fed may be weighing as it decides what to do about interest rates

Jul 29, 2019
Unemployment is low. Consumer spending is high. But we're also in a trade war with China, and growth is slowing around the world.
A view of the Federal Reserve building in Washington, D.C.
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What the Federal Reserve’s policy statements can reveal about its mindset

Jun 19, 2019
A single word can indicate the central bank’s attitude toward interest rates.
Federal Reserve statements are scrutinized for clues about the Fed’s future actions. Above, Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
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Fed's challenge: to spur inflation

Jun 18, 2019
The FOMC meets this week to set interest rate policy, and it faces a slowing economy with inflation falling.
The Federal Reserve building in Washington, D.C.
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What’s the Fed saying about interest rates? We asked a linguist

Feb 20, 2019
Jessica Rett of UCLA helps us parse the central bank's language.
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It's time for the Federal Reserve's annual game of musical chairs

Jan 29, 2019
The Fed presents a united front when it makes decisions, but not everyone on the Federal Open Market Committee has a say on interest rates.
People wait for a press conference after the Federal Open Market Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., in 2017.
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How will shutdown affect Fed decision-making?

Jan 28, 2019
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and the other members of the agency's Open Market Committee meet Tuesday for the first time this year.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and the other members of the agency's Open Market Committee meet Tuesday for the first time this year.
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