Federal Reserve Poised to Announce Latest Interest Rate Hikes Despite Slowing Inflation
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:30s - Published
Federal Reserve Poised to Announce Latest Interest Rate Hikes Despite Slowing Inflation
Federal Reserve Poised to Announce , Latest Interest Rate Hikes , Despite Slowing Inflation.
On February 1, the Federal Reserve will announce
its latest interest rate increase which comes amid
the central bank's aggressive campaign to slow inflation.
NBC reports that while there are signs that inflation
is slowing, some indications suggest the economy
is reflating, which could also send prices up.
.
We expect Fed Chair Powell
will insist on the need hold
policy at a restrictive level
for some time to bring inflation
down toward the 2% target, Gregory Daco, chief economist at Ernst & Young’s EY-Parthenon consultancy, via NBC.
Powell will also stress that
history cautions strongly against
prematurely loosening policy, Gregory Daco, chief economist at Ernst & Young’s EY-Parthenon consultancy, via NBC.
Powell will also stress that
history cautions strongly against
prematurely loosening policy, Gregory Daco, chief economist at Ernst & Young’s EY-Parthenon consultancy, via NBC.
According to the 'Bloomberg' index,
financial conditions have eased to reach
the lowest level since last February.
These changes can be seen in declining average
mortgage rates, which have retreated back to
6.13% after hitting a high of 7.08% in November.
NBC reports that the rising price of commodities like oil
and the improvement of the stock market have contributed
to a sense of cautious optimism regarding the economy.
NBC reports that the rising price of commodities like oil
and the improvement of the stock market have contributed
to a sense of cautious optimism regarding the economy.
The positive changes have eased fears of a global
recession, yet economists believe that the Fed will
continue to clamp down to prevent rapid economic growth.
According to Neil Dutta, the head of U.S. economics
at Renaissance Macro financial group, the Fed's
0.25% interest rate hike may end up being too small.
.
The Fed’s story only
works if the economy
is slowing down.
Sorry, but I don’t see it, Neil Dutta, head of U.S. economics at
Renaissance Macro financial group, via NBC
New US Home Construction , Sinks to Slowest Pace in 4 Years.
Government data released on June 20 indicates that new home construction in America dropped in May to the slowest pace since June 2020, Yahoo Finance reports. .
Housing starts dropped 5.5%,
and building permits dipped 3.8%.
Home completions also fell to the lowest amount since September 2022.
High interest rates, set by the Fed to help tame inflation, have resulted in high mortgage rates.
But recent data has suggested that inflation has started to cool, which may give the Fed the confidence it needs to lower rates.
The weakest U.S. housing starts
since the pandemic-led shutdowns
are fairly convincing evidence of
restrictive monetary policy. , Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, via note.
While a growing population and
workforce are providing some support,
US home builders won’t become
busier until borrowing costs fall, Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, via note.
Meanwhile, other data released on June 20 showed that first-time applications for unemployment benefits dropped last week.
However, continuing claims rose
for a seventh consecutive week
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Mortgage Rates Continue , to Fall, Raising Hopes of the , Fed Cutting Rates.
ABC reports that borrowing costs for
home loans continued to ease this week,
with the average rate on a 30-year mortgage
falling to its lowest level since April.
According to mortgage buyer
Freddie Mac, the rate fell from
6.95% to 6.87% last week. .
That figure is still significantly higher than
what the rate was during the same time last year,
which was at an average of 6.67%. .
15-year fixed-rate mortgages
also eased, falling from
6.17% last week to 6.13%. .
During the same time last year,
the average rate was at 6.03%.
Those higher rates can add hundreds of dollars
to monthly costs for borrowers, which limits the
purchasing options of potential homebuyers.
Mortgage rates fell for
the third straight week
following signs of cooling
inflation and market
expectations of a
future Fed rate cut, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, via ABC.
ABC reports that rates are influenced by a number
of factors, including the Federal Reserve's interest
rate policy and the 10-year Treasury yield.
ABC reports that rates are influenced by a number
of factors, including the Federal Reserve's interest
rate policy and the 10-year Treasury yield.
Due to yields also beginning to ease, the Federal
Reserve could start to drop its main interest rate
after hiking it up to the highest level in over 20 years.
Last week, Fed officials suggested that they would make
just one cut to their benchmark interest rate in 2024,
down from previous projections of three cuts for the year.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Surge of New Applications for , Unemployment Benefits , May Signal Cooling Job Market.
Last week, the number of people in the
United States filing for unemployment benefits
reached the highest level in ten months last week. .
ABC reports that the news comes as a potential
sign that the U.S. labor market may be slowing
under the burden of high interest rates. .
The week ending June 8 saw
applications for jobless benefits
rise by 13,000 to reach 242,000. .
According to Labor Department
data, that is up from 229,000 new
applications the week before.
The number also represents the highest
number of new applications since August
of 2023, while also being significantly higher
than the 225,000 new claims forecast.
ABC reports that weekly unemployment claims have
lingered at historically low levels since millions of
jobs disappeared with the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABC reports that weekly unemployment claims have
lingered at historically low levels since millions of
jobs disappeared with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since March of 2022, the Federal Reserve has raised
benchmark rates 11 times in an attempt to reign in
inflation which has risen to a four-decade high.
While the latest data suggests that consumer
inflation cooled in May, the Federal Reserve
has decided to leave rates at a 23-year high.
According to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, officials
are waiting for more evidence that prices
are reaching their target of two percent.
ABC reports that a total of 1.82 million
Americans were collecting unemployment
benefits in the week ending June 1. .
ABC reports that a total of 1.82 million
Americans were collecting unemployment
benefits in the week ending June 1.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Fed Holds Steady , With Interest Rates at , 2-Decade High.
On June 12, the Federal Reserve chose to hold
interest rates at a two-decade high while it
waits to see more signs of inflation going down.
'The Guardian' reports that officials at the United States
central bank expect to make a single rate cut
in 2024, according to the latest projections.
In previous projections,
policymakers expected the Fed
to make three cuts in 2024. .
At the latest meeting, the Fed chose to
keep rates at the same place they've been
for nearly a year, between 5.25% and 5.5%.
Despite recent data suggesting that inflation
may be easing, the Fed clearly doesn't see it moving
at a pace that would lead it to start cutting rates.
In May, inflation cooled slightly across the U.S.,
according to the latest consumer price index, however
consumers remain frustrated over skyrocketing prices.
In May, inflation cooled slightly across the U.S.,
according to the latest consumer price index, however
consumers remain frustrated over skyrocketing prices.
'The Guardian' reports that price growth has
slowed significantly since surging over 9%
in 2022, its highest level in a generation.
'The Guardian' reports that price growth has
slowed significantly since surging over 9%
in 2022, its highest level in a generation.
May saw prices for air fare and fuel go
down, inflation for grocery prices remained
flat, and shelter costs continued to rise.
May saw prices for air fare and fuel go
down, inflation for grocery prices remained
flat, and shelter costs continued to rise.
Overall, prices remained unchanged on a month-to-month
basis as the Fed emphasized that it would wait for
inflation to hit its previously-stated target of 2%.
The committee does not expect
it will be appropriate to reduce
the target range until it has
gained greater confidence
that inflation is moving
sustainably toward 2%, Federal Reserve statement, via Fox News
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
European Central Bank , Cuts Interest Rates.
The action was confirmed on June 6 at
the central bank's meeting, CNBC reports. .
The European Central Bank's (ECB) key
rate will go from 4% down to 3.75%.
The ECB Governing Council issued a statement.
Based on an updated assessment of
the inflation outlook, the dynamics of
underlying inflation and the strength
of monetary policy transmission, , ECB Governing Council, via statement.
... it is now appropriate to
moderate the degree of monetary
policy restriction after nine months
of holding rates steady, ECB Governing Council, via statement.
This is the first time that interest rates
have been cut since September 2019. .
Updated macroeconomic projections indicate that 2024's "annual average headline inflation outlook" has been increased from 2.3% to 2.5%, CNBC reports.
For 2025, it was raised from 2% to 2.2%.
The projection for 2026 stayed at 1.9%.
The ECB's next meeting is in July, where another rate cut is unlikely, experts say.
The slight upgrade to the inflation forecast
was to be expected, inflation has been printing
a little bit hotter than markets were expecting,
but in terms of the timing of the next cut
I’d still be looking to September, Dean Turner, chief euro zone economist at
UBS Global Wealth Management, to CNBC.
Canada also cut interest rates on June 5, while Sweden and Switzerland cut rates earlier this year.
Canada also cut interest rates on June 5, while Sweden and Switzerland cut rates earlier this year.
Canada also cut interest rates on June 5, while Sweden and Switzerland cut rates earlier this year.
The U.S. Federal Reserve continues
to battle America's rate of inflation.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Celine Dion wasn't the only one fighting back tears during her amazing Olympics performance ... Kelly Clarkson was also reaching for the Kleenex box! Kelly was.. TMZ.com
Lisa Kudrow says she's finally rewatching 'Friends' because of Matthew Perry. The actress has previously admitted that she couldn't bring herself to watch reruns of the beloved NBC sitcom, explaining she didn't want to risk not liking her work on the show. But in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter to promote her upcoming Apple TV+ series 'Time Bandits,' Kudrow revealed that she's begun to revisit old 'Friends' episodes, in large part to keep the memory of her late co-star Perry alive. Perry died October 28th, 2023, at age 54.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:26Published
Travis Kelce , Makes First Onstage Appearance With, Taylor Swift.
On June 23, at the fourth of eight London
Eras Tour shows, Taylor Swift brought her all-star
boyfriend, Travis Kelce, on stage for the first time.
On June 23, at the fourth of eight London
Eras Tour shows, Taylor Swift brought her all-star
boyfriend, Travis Kelce, on stage for the first time.
Kelce appeared on the diamond walkway
at Wembley Stadium for his first-ever
onstage appearance with Swift.
Kelce appeared on the diamond walkway
at Wembley Stadium for his first-ever
onstage appearance with Swift.
Kelce performed alongside Swift for the intro
of 'I Can Do It With a Broken Heart' in the
new 'Tortured Poets' era of the show.
Normally, for the final transition of the show,
Swift is accompanied by two male dancers
who carry her to a heart-shaped couch. .
NBC reports that Kelce appeared in full
costume and showed off both his acting
and dancing skills while on stage.
The upbeat track from Swift's latest album
is reportedly about the wildly successful
Eras Tour and her breakup with
longtime partner Joe Alwyn in 2023. .
The upbeat track from Swift's latest album
is reportedly about the wildly successful
Eras Tour and her breakup with
longtime partner Joe Alwyn in 2023. .
The pair's high-profile relationship
has been going on for almost a year,
beginning with rumors last summer.
In September, the couple went public
with their relationships at a Kansas City
Chiefs game against the Chicago Bears.
According to NBC, Kelce had
already attended a number of
Swift's London Eras shows. .
Earlier this week, Swift posted a picture to Instagram of
her and Kelce with Prince William, Prince George and
Princess Charlotte, who also attended the June 20 show.
Earlier this week, Swift posted a picture to Instagram of
her and Kelce with Prince William, Prince George and
Princess Charlotte, who also attended the June 20 show
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Supreme Court Rejects , Challenge to Tax Law on, Foreign Investments.
On June 20, the Supreme Court upheld a tax on foreign
corporate investments enacted by a Republican-controlled
Congress under former President Donald Trump.
On June 20, the Supreme Court upheld a tax on foreign
corporate investments enacted by a Republican-controlled
Congress under former President Donald Trump.
NBC reports that the case had attracted scrutiny when
conservative Justice Samuel Alito refused to recuse
himself despite ties with one of the challenging lawyers.
The case revolved around whether an individual can be
forced to pay taxes on investments in foreign-owned
companies regardless of if they were a source of income.
The case revolved around whether an individual can be
forced to pay taxes on investments in foreign-owned
companies regardless of if they were a source of income.
According to the 16th Amendment
of the Constitution, Congress has the
power to "collect taxes on incomes.".
In the case, Charles and Kathleen Moore claim they were
unfairly taxed on their $40,000 investment in an
India-based company called KisanKraft Machine Tools. .
While the company made a profit, the Moores
claim that they received no dividends and that
the money was reinvested in the business.
As a result, the Moores did not pay taxes between
2006 and 2017 on what the U.S. government later
defined as income from their investment. .
Due to a provision that was part of a major tax law
enacted by former President Donald Trump in 2017,
the Moores paid $15,000 in additional taxes.
They later sought a refund for that payment,
arguing that they had been unlawfully taxed
based on an increase in the value of a capital
investment not qualifying as income.
The couple's challenge was rejected
by the Supreme Court 7-2
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Surgeon General Wants, Social Media to Include , Warning of Mental Health Risks.
On June 17, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy
called on Congress to require social media
platforms to give users a tobacco-style warning. .
On June 17, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy
called on Congress to require social media
platforms to give users a tobacco-style warning. .
NBC reports that Murthy warned that the
mental health crisis among young Americans
has become an urgent problem, citing social
media as "an important contributor.".
NBC reports that Murthy warned that the
mental health crisis among young Americans
has become an urgent problem, citing social
media as "an important contributor.".
According to Murthy, the warning would include
language that alerts users to potential mental health
harms associated with using social media.
A surgeon general’s
warning label, which requires
congressional action, would
regularly remind parents and
adolescents that social media
has not been proved safe, Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, via NBC.
Evidence from tobacco labels
shows that surgeon general’s
warnings can increase
awareness and change behavior, Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, via NBC.
Murthy reportedly went on to
acknowledge that a warning alone has
limitations and fails to make social media safe.
In an op-ed published in 'The New York Times,'
Murthy linked the amount of time spent using
social media with an increased risk for children
to develop anxiety and depression.
In an op-ed published in 'The New York Times,'
Murthy linked the amount of time spent using
social media with an increased risk for children
to develop anxiety and depression.
According to the American Psychological Association,
teens spend around five hours a day on popular
platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. .
In his 'NYT' op-ed, Murthy called on all social media
platforms to "proactively enhance and contribute to
the mental health and well-being of our children.".
One 2019 study found that the number of teens with suicidal thoughts increased 47% between 2008 and
2017, a period which also saw social media use soar.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
The Group of Seven “likely” abandoned the US plan to expropriate Russia’s frozen central bank assets due to a “veiled threat” from Saudi Arabia, Bloomberg has reported. The US and UK had been pushing for outright seizure of around $280 billion in Russian sovereign funds, which the West had frozen in 2022 citing the Ukraine conflict. The EU, where most of the immobilised assets are held, was reluctant to see the euro endangered by the possible backlash.
#SaudiArabia #PutinSupport #MohammedBinSalman #PutinMohammedBinSalman #MBSBiden #G7Putin #G7 #RussianAssets #BidenAdministration #Geopolitics #InternationalRelations #EconomicSanctions #GlobalTensions #SaudiInfluence #FinancialStrategy #RussiaUkraineConflict #DiplomaticMove #MiddleEastPolitics
~HT.178~PR.152~ED.101~GR.124~
Apple Is Reportedly Building , a Dedicated Passwords App.
On June 6, Mark Gurman from 'Bloomberg' reported that Apple intends to build next-gen iPhones and Macs with a built-in password management app.
On June 6, Mark Gurman from 'Bloomberg' reported that Apple intends to build next-gen iPhones and Macs with a built-in password management app.
The new app will be called Passwords, Engadget reports.
The app will be revealed at the
Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
While Apple already offers password
services via the iCloud Keychain.
it can be tedious to find
or change passwords with it.
A dedicated passwords app would make the whole process easier and likely encourage some people to stick with Apple.
Similarly to subscription password managers 1Password and LastPass, Apple's app will
split passwords into categories.
Similarly to subscription password managers 1Password and LastPass, Apple's app will
split passwords into categories.
Such categories include "accounts, WiFi networks and Passkeys," CNBC reports. .
Users will be able to
import passwords from other apps.
Two-factor verification codes
will also be supported.
It's not clear if Passwords will let you
store files and images as its rivals do.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Retail Sales Jumped 3% in January , Despite Inflation.
The Commerce Department
revealed the data on Feb. 15.
January retail sales sored by 3%, far
exceeding economists' expectations of 1.8%.
CNN..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
January Inflation Report , Misses Slowdown Expectations.
The consumer price data for Jan. was released on Feb. 14.
The data shows that consumer prices for the month increased by 6.4 percent.
The..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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