Strong Housing and Auto Sales Boost U.S. Economy, Fed Says
A strengthening housing recovery and robust auto sales contributed to moderate growth across the U.S. in late February and March, according to a Federal Reserve survey.
federal reserve
Bernanke: Poor Areas Being Left Behind in U.S. Recovery
Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Friday that despite improvements in the U.S. economy overall, the country's lower-income communities continue to face hard times.
Minutes: Fed Divided Over When to End Stimulus
Federal Reserve policymakers are divided over when to end extraordinary measures intended to encourage more borrowing and spending to help stimulate the U.S. economy.
Bernanke Says Fed's 'Stress Tests' Show Much Healthier Banks
The Federal Reserve's annual "stress tests" of U.S. banks show an industry that has grown much healthier since the financial crisis, Chairman Ben Bernanke said Monday night.
Federal Reserve Maintains Stance on Record-Low Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve said it plans to keep its benchmark rate near zero as long as unemployment exceeds 6.5 percent -- a level expected into 2015.
Fed Seen Maintaining Stance on Record Low Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday is expected to maintain its resolve to keep borrowing costs at record lows despite growing signs that the economy is strengthening.
Stock Market Gains, Economic Recovery Boost U.S. Dollar
Investors are showing more interest in the dollar, which is benefiting from the stock market's surge to new highs and an improving U.S. economy.
Is Goldman Sachs Riskier Than It Wants to Admit?
The Federal Reserve will release the final results of its bank stress tests after Thursday's market close. But preliminary results suggest Goldman could lose $25 billion from bad trades in another financial crisis, more than any other bank tested by the Fed.
Fed to Announce Which Banks Can Raise Payouts, Buy Back Stock
The Federal Reserve will announce this afternoon which banks will be eligible to raise their dividends and buy back stock. Some analysts say regional banks are likely to be the big beneficiaries. Evercore Partners says Keycorp, State Street and Northern Trust are the ones most likely to raise their payouts.
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.
If Fed Ends Quantitative Easing Now, It'll Hurt More Than Housing
Just as we hear that previously occupied home sales hit their second-highest level in three years, we also hear that the Federal Reserve is having second thoughts on its latest round of quantitative easing, also known as QE3.
Some Fed Officials Worried Bond Purchases May Fuel Inflation
Several Federal Reserve policymakers warned last month that the Fed's plan to keep buying $85 billion in bonds each month until the job market is healthy could eventually escalate inflation, unsettle financial markets or cost the Fed money when it sells its investments.
U.S. Wholesale Inflation Still Mild Despite Increase
U.S. wholesale prices rose only slightly in January after three straight declines, the latest sign that inflation is posing no threat. It means the Federal Reserve has room to keep interest rates at record lows without worrying about igniting inflation.
Markets Subdued as Focus Turns to Fed, Housing and Producer Price Data
Markets were subdued Wednesday ahead of a run of U.S. economic news that should provide a clearer steer on the state of the world's largest economy and what further steps the Federal Reserve might take in the months ahead.