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When Is the Next Fed Meeting in 2017?

By Jack Delaney, Associate Editor, Money Morning - March 9, 2017

When is the next Fed meeting?

It will start on March 14, and it will conclude on March 15.

The Fed is expected to raise interest rates. But there is one reason why it may keep rates the same, which could send the stock market into a tailspin...

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When Is the Next Fed Meeting in 2017?

By Jack Delaney, Associate Editor, Money Morning - March 9, 2017

When is the next Fed meeting?

It will start on March 14, and it will conclude on March 15.

The Fed is expected to raise interest rates. But there is one reason why it may keep rates the same, which could send the stock market into a tailspin...

What We Learned About Federal Reserve Interest Rates in Today's Minutes

By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning - April 6, 2016

What we learned from the FOMC's March 15-16 meeting minutes is that policymakers are divided when it comes to the pace of hiking Federal Reserve interest rates and the health of the global economy.

Some are calling for an April hike, while others are leaning toward a more prudent approach.

Here's key details from today's release...

What This Week's Federal Reserve Interest Rate News Means for Markets in 2016

By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning - March 30, 2016

After another dovish Federal Reserve interest rate statement from Chair Janet Yellen yesterday, global stocks and commodities are rallying.

Investors can now expect lower interest rates to last deeper into 2016.

Here's what that means for your money now....

Federal Reserve's Plan "Won't End Well" for the Markets

By Cameron Saucier, Associate Editor, Money Morning - February 11, 2016

At a meeting with Congress on Wednesday, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen reiterated the Fed's plan to raise interest rates in the months ahead.

But her words also showed a hint of doubt.

Yellen discussed several concerns about the economy that could make the Federal Reserve hesitate on the timing of rate hikes. She also reemphasized the Fed's willingness to experiment with controversial monetary policy tools, including negative interest rates.

Our Chief Investment Strategist Keith Fitz-Gerald made his usual appearance on CNBC to talk about why the Fed's experiments "won't end well" for the markets...

When Will the Next Fed Interest Rate Hike Happen?

By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning - January 26, 2016

The U.S. Federal Reserve kicked off its two-day policy meeting Tuesday, and investors are looking for any sign of the next Fed interest rate hike.

The overwhelming consensus now is that we won't see a Fed interest rate hike at the conclusion of the U.S. central bank's meeting on Wednesday.

But that doesn't mean we won't see another Fed rate hike sometime in 2016...

Will the Stock Market Crash Today? – 12/16/15

By Money Morning Staff Reports, Money Morning - December 16, 2015

Will the stock market crash today following a December rate hike announcement from the U.S. Federal Reserve?

The Fed is expected to raise interest rates today (Wednesday) for the first time since June 2006.

Here's what a December rate hike would mean for stocks...

Dovish vs. Hawkish: Which Way Will the Fed Lean This Week?

By Alex McGuire, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @AlexMcGuire92 - December 15, 2015

Over the last couple months, news outlets have brought the dovish vs. hawkish Federal Reserve argument back on the table.

But many investors don't know what the two mean and how they affect their portfolios.

Here's a breakdown of the two...

Dow Jones Industrial Average Down Today as Oil Prices Tank

By Garrett Baldwin, Behavioral Trading Specialist, Money Morning - December 8, 2015

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is moving today ahead of speeches from the Federal Reserve. Here's what else investors need to know this morning.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average today (Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015) showed a decline of 158 points as concerns about falling energy prices rattled investors in both Asia and Europe.

On Monday, the Dow Jones fell 117 points after oil prices fell to six-year lows as concerns about oversupply rattled trader sentiment. Shares of Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) and Chevron Corp.(NYSE: CVX) were both off roughly 2.6% and were the biggest drags on the Dow Jones.

Here's everything else investors need to know today...

Dow Jones Industrial Average Moving Today Ahead of Federal Reserve Speech

By Garrett Baldwin, Behavioral Trading Specialist, Money Morning - December 7, 2015

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average today (Monday, Dec. 7, 2015) were down nine points ahead of a busy week of economic data that includes an update on inflation, November retail sales, and consumer sentiment. These major economic data points will continue to provide insight into the FOMC meeting on Dec. 15 and 16.

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

Why a December Rate Hike Looks Like a Done Deal Now

By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning - December 4, 2015

American employers increased headcount by 211,000 in November.

That healthy showing all but guarantees that U.S. policymakers will raise interest rates for the first time since June 2006 when they meet Dec. 15-16.

Here's why a December rate hike looks like a done deal now...

Current Federal Reserve Interest Rates Trigger This Personal Swipe at Yellen

By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning - November 25, 2015

Political and consumer activist Ralph Nader issued an open letter regarding interest rates to U.S. Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen on Oct. 30 that turned personal.

Monday, Yellen responded.

Here's how she defended current Federal Reserve interest rates.

Protect Yourself from the Fed's "Inflation Delusion" with This

By Peter Krauth, Resource Specialist, Money Morning - November 24, 2015

The Fed has kept interest rates stuck near zero for the last seven years, so there's little wonder investors and savers feel like "perma-zero" is the new paradigm.

Despair and ennui have settled in. According to the Fed, some 31% of non-retired Americans have no savings or pension whatsoever.

Some have been frozen out, unable to save thanks to stagnating incomes and dismal job prospects. Others who might otherwise be able to save just don't see the point when they're not making any interest to speak of.

That negative outlook is understandable, given today's economic realities. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Not when a small investment in one easy-to-buy asset can make so much difference...

What a Fed Rate Hike Means for Your Money

By David Zeiler, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @DavidGZeiler - November 17, 2015

With a Fed rate hike all but certain when the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets Dec. 15-16, Americans need to start thinking about how it will affect them.

Just about every interest rate keys off the Fed interest rate in one way or another. That includes many interest rates that have an impact on consumers.

Here's what you can expect when the Fed raises rates...

Odds of a Fed Interest Rate Hike in December Just Increased Dramatically

By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning - November 9, 2015

The odds of a Fed interest rate hike in December dramatically increased over the weekend.

One of the biggest reasons why was a strong October jobs report. The U.S. Labor Department reported Friday that non-farm payrolls rose 271,000 last month. The unemployment rate dipped to 5% from 5.1% and now sits at a level considered "full employment."

Here's what you need to know...

When Will the Fed Raise Interest Rates?

By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning - October 28, 2015

With the FOMC meeting ending today, investors have been asking, "When will the Fed raise interest rates?"

It will be at least another two months before the central bank makes a move. U.S. central bankers have decided once again to leave interest at rock-bottom levels.

Surprising market participants was the Fed's hawkish tone suggesting a December liftoff is possible...