Fed Sticks to Stimulus Plan, Warns Growth Hampered by Budget Cuts
The Fed is sticking with its bond-buying plan to push down borrowing costs and prop up the economy, citing risks to growth from recent budget tightening in Washington.
bond buying program
No Surprises Expected as Fed Ends 2-Day Meeting
The Federal Reserve is widely expected Wednesday to stick with its aggressive efforts to strengthen a still-subpar economy.
Families Dip Into Savings as Incomes Fall, Energy Costs Rise
In January, U.S. incomes dropped, but spending rose as consumers dug into savings to help cover rising utility costs and the increased price of gasoline.
Bernanke Defends Fed's Low-Interest-Rate Policies
Facing criticism from Republican lawmakers, Chairman Ben Bernanke stood behind the Federal Reserve's low-interest-rate policies Wednesday and sought to reassure Congress that the central bank has a handle on the risks. Bond purchases are needed to help boost a still-weak economy, Bernanke said.
Bernanke Signals Continued Fed Support for Low Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve's low interest-rate policies are giving key support to an economy still burdened by high unemployment, Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress on Tuesday. Bernanke signaled that the Fed's efforts to keep borrowing costs low -- buying treasuries and mortgage bonds -- will continue.
Fed Says It Will Keep Interest Rates Low Until Jobs Come Back
The Federal Reserve says it will keep spending $45 billion a month to sustain an aggressive drive to keep long-term interest rates low, with the express purpose of hitting the accelerator on economic growth until unemployment drops below 6.5 percent.
World Markets Still Feeling Good About ECB's Bond-Buying Plan
A unlimited bond-buying plan from the European Central Bank continued to buoy financial markets on Friday while worse-than-expected U.S. jobs data lifted expectations that the Federal Reserve will back another monetary stimulus.
Can the Fed Keep Downplaying Inflation?
When a Federal Reserve committee meets Tuesday to consider the federal interest rate, it will likely revise its glum outlook into something brighter. But will it also acknowledge the U.S.'s growing inflation problem?
Can U.S. Services Growth Outweigh High Oil Prices?
The U.S. services sector is growing strong, providing additional evidence that the U.S. economy is recovering and might not need more stimulus funding. But that's contingent upon oil staying below $120 per barrel.
Why Interest Rates Keep Rising, Despite QE2
The Federal Reserve is doling out billions to buy bonds in hopes of keeping interest rates low and stimulating the economy. However, several powerful forces are working against that low-rate strategy, ranging from investor psychology to global competition for capital.
Silver Prices Soar Amid Inflation Concerns
Silver prices touched a 30-year high Monday as investors sought the safety of precious metals. Inflation concerns are running high after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank is considering a third round of qualitative easing.