Category

Federal Reserve System

The Fed

How the December Fed Rate Hike Will Fleece Taxpayers - Again

If the December Fed rate hike of 0.25% marks the beginning of a period of tightening, the U.S. taxpayer is about to get a very unwelcome surprise.

Now that the U.S. Federal Reserve is raising interest rates, it won't be so easy to hide the dire consequences of years of loose money policies – especially all the quantitative easing (QE).

Here's why the Fed's balance sheet is suddenly a very big problem for America...

The Fed

What a December Fed Rate Hike Means for Stocks

The long-awaited December Fed rate hike finally happened – so what will it mean for stocks?

You'll hear a lot of talk today about how raising interest rates will have a negative impact on companies. It will hurt those that borrowed a lot of money when interest rates were near 0% – as they are today.

Fortunately, the December Fed rate hike is going to have a much more mild effect on stocks than the doomsayers would have you believe.

And it's easy to see why.

the fed

What the December Fed Rate Hike Means for Investors

The December Fed rate hike is finally here. After all the anticipation, the Fed increased its target rate by a quarter of a percentage point (0.25%). So how will it affect investors?

The Fed's December rate hike move signaled its confidence in the U.S. economy. After reviewing its key economic indicators, including unemployment, inflation, and its measure of the global economy, the Fed was satisfied enough to raise rates.

So far, Wednesday's decision hasn't panicked investors, as some doomsayers predicted.

the fed

FOMC Meeting Today: What Investors Need to Know Now

Today (Wednesday) marks the final day of a two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Investors are speculating that the U.S. Federal Reserve will raise interest rates at its second FOMC meeting on Wednesday – the first rate hike since June 2006.

So far, the Fed's go-to indicators suggest a green light for a rate hike. Here's how it will affect the markets...

Dow Jones

Dow Jones Industrial Average Up Today as FOMC Meeting Begins

Good morning! The Dow today (Monday, Dec. 15) climbed 13 points in the opening hour.

Today the Dow Jones Industrial Average is positively reacting to the Federal Reserve's meeting on whether or not interest rates should be raised.

Crude oil prices are volatile because of the FOMC meeting and fears of oil glut and a pricing war between OPEC and non-OPEC producers.

Here's what else investors need to know about the Dow Jones Industrial Average today...

What’s Next for Silver Prices Following Fed Rate Hike

The Fed's two-day meeting on Dec. 15-16 is nearing, so it's time to look at what impact a likely interest rate hike will have on silver prices.

When the Fed raises interest rates, the value of the U.S. dollar increases, which also makes dollar-denominated commodities more expensive.

This reduces the demand for precious metals like silver, sending silver prices lower.

But this upcoming December rate hike will affect silver differently than in the past...