What the Fed's Summary of Economic Projections can reveal

Sep 20, 2023
The quarterly report gives clues about how members of the Federal Open Market Committee see the economy and what future steps they might take.
In addition to an announcement on interest rates, the Federal Reserve will release its Summary of Economic Projections on Wednesday.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

What comes after a soft landing?

Aug 16, 2023
There are only so many options. Ideally, they don't include a boom or a bust.
If the Federal Reserve tames inflation and avoids a recession, it will want to maintain the status quo — without a boom or a bust.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

What kind of signal does FOMC unanimity send to markets and others watching the economy?

Aug 16, 2023
Dissent on interest rate decisions might send mixed messages to Wall Street about where the economy is headed.
Under Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, the FOMC has not had a single dissenting vote on interest rates since June of last year, which former FOMC member Tom Hoenig wasn't surprised by.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Could the Federal Reserve have prevented the financial crisis?

Jan 22, 2018
A look at what the Fed was doing — and wasn't — before the crisis hit the headlines and your bank account.
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange January 22, 2008 in New York City. The Federal Reserve, in reaction to a severe downturn in worldwide stock markets and concern about a United States recession, reduced its interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point before the opening NYSC bell. 
Stephen Chernin/Getty Images

The Fed might not have inflation all figured out

Oct 20, 2017
Daniel Tarullo, former Fed board governor, talks about his new paper on why the Fed hasn't got it right when it comes to measuring inflation.
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen speaks during a press conference after the Federal Open Market Committee meetings in Washington, DC, on September 2017.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Is 2 percent a good target rate for inflation? The Fed has never been sure

Jun 9, 2017
It's an arbitrary target, and some experts say its time for a change.
U.S. Federal Reserve Board Chairwoman Janet Yellen testifying before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Interest rates are inching up

Dec 14, 2016
Just a quarter of a percent, but still.

The Federal Reserve in a quandary

Jun 15, 2016
The Fed is sending out mixed signals about an interest rate hike.
Interest rates have been close to zero for almost a decade.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images