US could wait until next summer to raise interest rates, say economists

Surveyed experts predicted last weeks rate rise would be followed by two more next year, not three. The Federal Reserve could wait until at least next summer before raising interest rates again, according to Wall Street economists surveyed by the Financial Times. Expectations that a rate rise last week by the US central bank would […]

US Federal Reserve raises interest rates for second time since 2008 crisis

Fed chairwoman Janet Yellen announced a 0.25% increase in the benchmark rate to 0.50-0.75%, and predicted three further rates increase in 2017. The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised interest rates for the first time in a year, and only the second time since the 2008 financial crisis. The US central bank also predicted three […]

Prepare for the next recession while you can

Governments should start normalising monetary policy and cutting public debt before the next economic downturn hits them. Economic forecasts for 2017 project continued frailty in the global economy, and subpar growth for most countries and regions. Obvious economic problems include Europes weak banks, Chinas distorted property market, political uncertainty in the west, historically high private […]

Federal Reserve minutes show close call on September interest rate hike

Three central bankers voted in favor of increasing rates amid easing risks of Brexit but experts still expect only one hike this year, after December meeting. The Federal Reserves decision not to increase rates in September was a close call, the minutes released on Wednesday show. When the Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) met in […]

Uncertainty over Brexit and US job market halted Fed’s interest rates rise

Federal Reserve held off on raising interest rates in June due to the possibility of market turbulence after Brexit and worries about the latest US job report.   The Federal Reserve held off on raising interest rates in June due to uncertainty about the US labor market as well as a then-upcoming vote on whether […]