Fed rate hike reactions: How analysts responded to Janet Yellen’s interest rate rise December 16, 2015 The Federal Reserve’s move to raise its short-term interest rate from its historically low near-zero levels was widely expected by economists, but not everyone welcomed the first hike in close to a decade. Attacking the Fed’s move as “premature”, CEBR economists were critical of the central bank’s move to “fight non-existent inflation”: “The Fed is [...]
Federal Reserve interest rate decision: What did the world look like in 2006, the last time the Fed hiked rates? December 16, 2015 We finally have lift-off. The Federal Reserve have raised short-term interest rates for the first time in close to a decade, signalling the US economy has returned to health after the financial crisis. But what did the world look like in June 2006, the last time a Fed rate hike happened? If you don’t remember, [...]
Oil price stable following Fed interest rate hike December 16, 2015 The price of oil was stable following the expected US Federal Reserve decision to raise interest rates by 0.25 percentage points. Fed chair Janet Yellen said: “I have been surprised by the further downward movement in oil prices. Oil prices need to stabilise for inflation to move up.” The oil price has been falling since Saudi [...]
US Federal Reserve hikes interest rates for first time in nine years but stresses future hikes will be gradual December 16, 2015 The US central bank has raised interest rates for the first time since 2006. The Federal Reserve lifted its main policy rates 0.25 percentage points, its first hike in nine years and its first interest rate change since 2008. The target range for the federal funds rate is now 0.25 to 0.5 per cent. The dot plots, which show [...]
Fed rate hike reactions: The best Twitter responses to Janet Yellen’s big move December 16, 2015 What to do when the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates from a historic low for the first time in nearly a decade, in a bill of health for the US economy? Why, take to Twitter, of course. Read more: What the world looked like the last time the Fed hiked rates The social media [...]
Here’s how the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike could impact the world economy December 16, 2015 As the Federal Reserve raised interest rates today, here's how economists think the US policy tightening will impact the world economy: Latin America Central Banks in Latin America are likely to begin hiking rates in response, according to Ian Shepherdson at Pantheon Macroeconomics. The Brazilian real has fallen 32 per cent against the US dollar this year, [...]
Slowdown in China is the biggest global risk for 2016, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit December 16, 2015 Leading experts have warned that a persistent slowdown in Chinese growth is the biggest threat to the global economic outlook. Analysts at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EU) said in a new report out today that the Chinese economy is facing “formidable challenges”, citing volatility in the domestic equity markets, slipping export figures and lower capital [...]
Technology job market: UK firms more likely to take on an IT contractor than those in the US, although some employers remain reluctant December 16, 2015 The UK seems to have fallen for computer geeks, with 76 per cent of UK businesses making use of IT contractors. According to a survey of executives with hiring and firing responsibilities released today by IT resourcing specialist Experis, a greater proportion UK firms are taking on contractors than in the US (66 per cent), Japan (65 per [...]
Christmas gifts 2015: Sales of BBQS, board games and prosecco gummy bears are on the up at John Lewis, but the halls will be decked in more muted colour themes December 16, 2015 One of our favourite tipples has proven popular in a more unusual format, with sales of prosecco flavoured gummy bears bouncing 106 per cent week-on-week at John Lewis, the retail giant said today. Meanwhile, post-Christmas lunch entertainment might be a low-tech affair, with sales of board games rolling in 183 per cent higher year-on-year. And December this year has [...]
Fed rate hike: What you need to know about ahead of Janet Yellen’s big decision on US interest rates, from why it’s important to when it’s announced December 16, 2015 The world is waiting on tenterhooks for the outcome of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting, with the US central bank widely expected to announce its first interest rate hike in nearly a decade tonight. Barring “unanticipated shocks”, Fed members are expected to vote to lift rates by quarter to half a percentage point from their current historic low. After [...]