Fed Increases Rates by Half a Percentage Point, Biggest Hike Since 2000
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
Fed Increases Rates by Half a Percentage Point, Biggest Hike Since 2000
Fed Increases Rates
By Half a Percentage Point, , Biggest Hike Since 2000.
Chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell announced the half point interest rate hike on May 4.
He stated that Powell the hike is a response to inflation, which "is much too high” and the action is an attempt to "expeditiously to bring it back down.”.
Powell also signaled that further increases in interest rates could be on the horizon.
There is a broad sense on the committee that additional 50 basis point increases should be on the table at the next couple
of meetings, Jerome H.
[These and other] related events are creating additional upward pressure on inflation and are likely to weigh on economic activity, Federal Open Market Committee Statement,
via 'The New York Times'.
Because of the global situation, the Fed reiterated its close monitoring of the U.S. economy and inflation.
.
The committee is highly attentive to inflation risks, Federal Open Market Committee Statement,
via 'The New York Times'.
Inflation remains elevated, reflecting supply and demand imbalances related to the pandemic, higher energy prices, and broader price pressures, Federal Open Market Committee Statement,
via 'The New York Times'.
Take the time to understand each other.
Some analysts have predicted rate increases as high as three-quarters of a percent.
According to Powell, an increase of that size is “not something the committee is actively considering.”.
What they are trying to do is tell the market — inflation could be higher in the near term, Gennadiy Goldberg, TD Securities,
via 'The New York Times'.
Powell expressed that he does see a way forward.
I do expect that this will be very challenging, it’s not going to be easy.
[But] I think we have a
good chance to have a soft or
soft-ish landing, Jerome H.
Fears of Potential Iranian Attack , Drive US Stocks Down , Nearly 500 Points.
CNN reports that United States stocks dropped on
April 12 amid rising tensions in the Middle East pushing
traders to seek safe havens like gold and bonds.
CNN reports that United States stocks dropped on
April 12 amid rising tensions in the Middle East pushing
traders to seek safe havens like gold and bonds.
By mid-afternoon, the Dow had fallen
1.4%, the S&P 500 went down 1.6%,
and the Nasdaq dropped 1.8%.
The dip came after the White House announced
that both the U.S. and Israel are on alert for
a potential attack by Iran or its allies.
The dip came after the White House announced
that both the U.S. and Israel are on alert for
a potential attack by Iran or its allies.
The warning comes after Iran
accused Israel of a deadly airstrike
on a consulate in Damascus, Syria. .
The news also sent oil prices up amid
fears of regional tensions escalating
as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. .
The news also sent oil prices up amid
fears of regional tensions escalating
as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. .
Brent crude futures jumped up to $90.42
a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate crude
futures increased to $86.65 a barrel.
Those geopolitical concerns and subsequent
rising oil prices sent investors to safe havens like
gold futures, which rose to $2,379 a troy ounce.
Those geopolitical concerns and subsequent
rising oil prices sent investors to safe havens like
gold futures, which rose to $2,379 a troy ounce.
CNN reports that Americans' opinions of
the economy have dipped in the past few
months amid persistently high inflation.
The geopolitical fears come as investors are already
contending with concerns that the Federal Reserve could
wait to bring interest rates down from a 23-year high.
Officials at the Fed have signaled that further rate
hikes could still be on the way if the central
bank's efforts to fight inflation stall.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Federal Reserve Posts Massive, $114 Billion , Loss in 2023.
On March 26, the Federal Reserve
announced a record-breaking net
negative income of $114.3 billion in 2023.
Reuters reports that the loss follows
$58.8 billion in net income in 2022. .
Since releasing the numbers,
the Fed has stressed that negative net
income does not impede its ability to operate.
Since releasing the numbers,
the Fed has stressed that negative net
income does not impede its ability to operate.
As a result of low rates and large
levels of bond holdings, the Fed has
earned significant profits in recent years.
Last year, the Fed's audited interest expenses for
banks' reserve balances reached $176.8 billion,
an increase of over $116 billion from 2022.
In 2023, the Fed's interest payouts from
its reverse repo facility were $104.33 billion,
increased from $41.9 billion the year before.
Reuters reports that the Fed creates funds when
dealing with operating losses, capturing its loss
in an accounting device known as a deferred asset.
Reuters reports that the Fed creates funds when
dealing with operating losses, capturing its loss
in an accounting device known as a deferred asset.
At the close of 2023, the deferred
asset stood at $133.3 billion.
As of March 20 of this year, that number
had risen to $157.8 billion with no
indication of how much larger it could get.
Last year, a St. Louis Fed report forecast that it
could take years before the Fed can return to
profitability and reduce the country's deferred asset.
Last year, a St. Louis Fed report forecast that it
could take years before the Fed can return to
profitability and reduce the country's deferred asset
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
In this Biz Pulse episode, we delve into market updates and the US Federal Reserve's announcement. Indian ADRs witness a decline, while IT stocks garner attention. Equity markets are on an upswing, while gold prices surge. Stay tuned for insights into these trends shaping the financial landscape.
#ADRStocks #ITMarket #StockMarket #Sensex #Nifty #IndianStocks #USStocks #USStockexchange #Businessnews #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~HT.178~PR.282~ED.101~GR.124~
Experts Say Fed's , Rate Hikes Could Impact , Housing Market for Decades.
Yahoo Finance reports that the housing market
has been showing signs of bouncing back as
this year's spring home-buying season begins.
For the second week in a row, mortgage rates
fell, reaching the lowest level in over a month. .
According to Freddie Mac, the average rate
on a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to
6.74% from 6.88% the week before.
At the same time, supply is also
starting to rebound, with new listings
hitting a 17-month high in February. .
Despite the improvement, experts warn
that the Fed's aggressive rate-hiking campaign could
have long-lasting side effects on the housing market.
Despite the improvement, experts warn
that the Fed's aggressive rate-hiking campaign could
have long-lasting side effects on the housing market.
According to economist Gary Shilling, the Fed's
campaign has created a "perfect storm,"
with higher rates causing would-be
home sellers to put their plans on hold. .
It won't continue
indefinitely, but it certainly
is disruptive right now, Gary Shilling, Economist, via Yahoo Finance.
Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman shared similar views on the future of the housing market, warning it could take decades to move beyond the impact of the Fed's efforts.
Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman shared similar views on the future of the housing market, warning it could take decades to move beyond the impact of the Fed's efforts.
There's going to be low
supply for a long time to
come. What the Fed did…
will have a 30-year tail on it, Glenn Kelman, Redfin CEO, via Yahoo Finance.
Yahoo Finance reports that mortgage rates may be
unlikely to fall much further in the near term, meaning
that a more substantial rebound may still be far off.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Data Shows , US Wages Falling , at a 'Striking' Pace.
Fox News reports that wage growth
in the United States has slowed
significantly over the past year. .
According to new data from Indeed,
wage growth is beginning
to near pre-pandemic levels. .
Indeed's wage tracker showed that salaries have had
a marked drop since January 2022, suggesting that
employers are seeing less competition for new hires.
The pace of deceleration
is striking. Posted wage growth
has fallen by almost 3 percentage
points over the past year, Nick Bunker, Indeed labor economist, via Fox News.
Fox News reports that the most pronounced
deceleration was found in low-wage sectors. .
Given the huge run-up in posted
wages for those sectors, wage growth
is still above its pre-pandemic pace.
How long this will last is uncertain, Nick Bunker, Indeed labor economist, via Fox News.
After remaining historically tight throughout the last
year, the labor market is expected to continue slowing
in the coming months amid elevated interest rates.
Since March of 2022, the Federal Reserve has increased interest rates 11 times in an attempt to slow down inflation and cool the labor market.
Since March of 2022, the Federal Reserve has increased interest rates 11 times in an attempt to slow down inflation and cool the labor market.
In 2024, there have already been a number of significant layoffs, with major companies like Alphabet, Amazon and Citigroup cutting jobs. .
In 2024, there have already been a number of significant layoffs, with major companies like Alphabet, Amazon and Citigroup cutting jobs. .
In 2024, there have already been a number of significant layoffs, with major companies like Alphabet, Amazon and Citigroup cutting jobs. .
Despite this, job growth has
remained resilient, with employers
adding 275,000 jobs in February. .
At the same time, Labor Department
data shows that the unemployment
rate for the month also rose to 3.9%.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Consumer Prices , Rose 0.4% in February.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released
its latest data on March 12.
In February 2024, prices rose 0.4%
compared to January and 3.2% year-over-year, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The figures, which are greater than expected, represent the biggest monthly increase since September, Yahoo Finance reports. .
The index for housing rent rose 0.5% in February.
Gas prices rose 3.8%.
While food prices held steady for the month, they increased 2.2% year-over-year.
The Federal Reserve will use the latest data to help determine its position on interest rates on March 20. .
Experts predict that rates will
remain unchanged for the time being.
The market is now eyeing June for the possibility of rate cuts, Yahoo Finance reports. .
Fed Chair Jerome Powell recently said
that while interest rates will likely
be cut "at some point this year,"
"a little bit more data" is needed.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Powell Says , Fed Remains Reluctant to Start , Lowering Interest Rates.
On March 6, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell
said that interest rates will start to drop at
some point this year, without specifying when.
CNBC reports that Powell said policymakers
are closely monitoring the risks of inflation and
are reluctant to begin easing rates too quickly.
In considering any adjustments
to the target range for the policy
rate, we will carefully assess
the incoming data, the evolving
outlook, and the balance of risks. , Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.
The Committee does not
expect that it will be appropriate
to reduce the target range until
it has gained greater confidence
that inflation is moving
sustainably toward 2 percent, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.
According to Powell, the Fed needs
"a little bit more data" before
making a decision on rates.
We think because of the strength
in the economy and the strength
in the labor market and
the progress we’ve made,
we can approach that step
carefully and thoughtfully
and with greater confidence, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.
When we reach that confidence,
the expectation is we will
do so sometime this year.
We can then begin dialing back
that restriction on our policy, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.
Markets are eagerly anticipating the Fed ending its
aggressive rate-hiking campaign, after 11 interest
rate increases between March 2022 and July 2023.
Longer-term inflation expectations
appear to have remained well
anchored, as reflected by
a broad range of surveys of
households, businesses, and
forecasters, as well as measures
from financial markets, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.
Longer-term inflation expectations
appear to have remained well
anchored, as reflected by
a broad range of surveys of
households, businesses, and
forecasters, as well as measures
from financial markets, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.
CNBC reports that Powell is scheduled for a two-day visit
to Capitol Hill this week, beginning with a March 6
meeting with the House Financial Services Committee.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Ukraine's air force reported shooting down a Russian strategic bomber, but Moscow officials countered that the plane crashed in a sparsely populated area due to a malfunction post-combat mission.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:24Published
House GOP Advances Aid Bills , for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.
The foreign aid bills were advanced by a
9-3 vote, thanks to the help of four Democrats on the committee, CBS News reports. .
Those Democrats are Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernández.
Those Democrats are Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernández.
Those Democrats are Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernández.
Those Democrats are Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernández.
Conservatives who voted against the bills,
because border security wasn't lumped in, include Tom Massie, Ralph Norman and Chip Roy. .
Conservatives who voted against the bills,
because border security wasn't lumped in, include Tom Massie, Ralph Norman and Chip Roy. .
A final vote on the foreign aid package
will take place on April 20. .
The three bills would support Israel,
Ukraine and Taiwan with $26.4 billion,
$60.8 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively. .
The three bills would support Israel,
Ukraine and Taiwan with $26.4 billion,
$60.8 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively. .
The three bills would support Israel,
Ukraine and Taiwan with $26.4 billion,
$60.8 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively. .
$9.1 billion of the Israel package would go toward Palestinian humanitarian efforts. .
A fourth bill seeks to allow the sale of Russian oligarchs' assets that have been frozen in order to continue funding Ukraine.
possibly "force the sale of TikTok
and authorize stricter sanctions on Russia, China and Iran," CBS News reports. .
possibly "force the sale of TikTok
and authorize stricter sanctions on Russia, China and Iran," CBS News reports. .
Some far-right Republicans have threatened to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson from his position for supporting additional Ukraine funding.
Johnson defended his actions, calling lethal aid for Ukraine "critically important.".
If I operated out of fear over
a motion to vacate, I would
never be able to do my job, House Speaker Mike Johnson, via statement.
Look, history judges us for what we
do. This is a critical time right now
critical time on the world stage. , House Speaker Mike Johnson, via statement.
I could make a, you know I can make
a selfish decision and do something that, that's different. But I'm doing here
what I believe to be the right thing, House Speaker Mike Johnson, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Former U.S. vice president Mike Pence is confident that U.S. military support for Ukraine is forthcoming.
Such a congressional approval has the support of majorities of the political parties as well as the American people, Pence said in an interview with Euronews in Brussels.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:27Published
A Polish man has been arrested and charged with plans to help Russia's military intelligence carry out an alleged plot to assassinate Ukrainian President.. Sky News
Year-Over-Year
Home Prices , Continue to Surge , Across the US.
In March, home prices
in the United States
climbed even higher.
CNN reports that the surge caused buyers
to scramble to lock in..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Stock Markets Advance , After Flirting With , Bear-Market Territory.
Al Jazeera reports that stocks managed
to make a minor comeback following
a chaotic week in financial markets.
Al Jazeera..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Bitcoin Sinks to , 10-Month Low.
Reuters reports that on May 9,
Bitcoin hit its lowest point since July 2021.
At one point, it dropped to $32,763.16.
Reuters reports that since the cryptocurrency..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published