Federal Reserve slashes interest rates over coronavirus fears March 3, 2020 The US Federal Reserve has slashed interest rates by 50 basis points – 0.5 percentage points – in an emergency response to the economic risks of coronavirus. Fed chair Jay Powell said rate-setters had witnessed the “broader spread of the virus” and “come to the view that it is time for us to act in [...]
Federal Reserve ends cycle of cutting interest rates December 11, 2019 The US Federal Reserve left interest rates on hold today, bringing to an end the cutting cycle instigated in July. The decision came after a booming US jobs report on Friday showed that employment rose by its most in ten months in November. The Fed’s target interest rate will stay at between 1.5 and 1.75 [...]
US Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by a quarter point September 18, 2019 The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates for the second meeting in a row amid concerns about a global economic slowdown, in a move which was largely expected by economists. The central bank lowered its main federal funds target rate by 25 basis points (0.25 percentage points) to between 1.75 and two per cent, [...]
Trump: Fed interest rates harming US exporters August 8, 2019 US President lashed out at the Federal Reserve today, saying a high dollar, which he blames on Fed policy, is hitting US exporting giants. The President, not a stranger to Fed-bashing said that he was not “thrilled” by the strength of the currency. Read more: A belligerent President has an effect on us all “The [...]
US stocks fall as industrial sector contracts for third time in four months May 15, 2019 US industrial production unexpectedly fell for the third time in four months in news that will displease the Trump administration as it wages a trade war on China. Read more: European markets back in red following weak Chinese data Industrial production fell 0.5 percent in April, meaning output declined at an annual rate of 1.9 per [...]
US Federal Reserve opts to hold interest rates in strong labour market May 1, 2019 The US Federal Reserve said today it was not raising interest rates, citing a strong labour market with solid economic activity. The Fed said it would maintain its target rate at 2.25 to 2.5 per cent. It said the labour market remains strong and economic activity rose at a “solid rate”. It said job gains have [...]
Your guide to US results season Q1 2019 April 30, 2019 | City Talk By Jemma Jackson from interactive investor. Home or away? interactive investor comment as US earnings season kicks off ahead of expectations So far, the news has been generally positive, with banks having noted an improvement in Net Interest Margins (the difference between the rate at which they borrow and lend). Industrials have also provided a [...]
US inflation cools in March, adding to pressures on Federal Reserve April 29, 2019 The US inflation rate fell in March, the latest official figures have revealed, in a development that will keep the pressure on the Federal Reserve to hold back from raising interest rates. Read more: Analysts expect outward looking Fed to keep rates on hold The core annual inflation rate fell to 1.6 per cent in [...]
Monetary policy is too crucial to leave in Labour’s meddling hands April 16, 2019 Even by Donald Trump’s standards, it was an extremely Donald Trump thing to do. Last week, the President nominated Herman Cain for a seat on the board of the Federal Reserve, attempting to hand oversight of the world’s largest economy to a maverick gold-standard enthusiast. The nomination appears to be doomed, largely because of the [...]
Are emerging markets really worth the risk? April 2, 2019 At a time when the US Federal Reserve has well and truly capitulated on its hiking path, some emerging markets are not showing signs of relief. Against the dollar, Argentina’s peso is close to an all-time low, the Turkish Lira is teetering near a year-to-date low, and the South African rand is creeping back to [...]