
At 10 a.m. today (Wednesday), Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen will address the House Financial Services Committee on the topic of financial regulation.
Markets were trading cautiously ahead of the Janet Yellen testimony.
By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning -
At 10 a.m. today (Wednesday), Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen will address the House Financial Services Committee on the topic of financial regulation.
Markets were trading cautiously ahead of the Janet Yellen testimony.
By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning -
At 10 a.m. today (Wednesday), Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen will address the House Financial Services Committee on the topic of financial regulation.
Markets were trading cautiously ahead of the Janet Yellen testimony.
By Jack Delaney, Sr. Cannabis Editor, Money Morning -
In every Janet Yellen speech, you are going to hear why she is optimistic about the U.S. economy.
And even though the Federal Reserve didn't raise interest rates in June because of economic turmoil across the globe, Yellen still sees the U.S. economy growing.
By Keith Fitz-Gerald, Chief Investment Strategist, Money Map Report -
Last week's May jobs report, which showed the weakest hiring in six years, gave Janet Yellen all the cover she needed to kick the can down the road on interest rates and put off any hikes until July or September.
The markets reacted well, as you'd expect, but Yellen left the door open, saying the Fed was "on track" to raise rates "in the coming months." And with that statement, Yellen has consigned investors to yet another cycle of uncertainty and hand-wringing where the markets have to guess what the Fed will do in July or September.
Here's the thing - the vast majority of investors don't understand that rising rates can be terrific for you and your money if you know what to look for and how to identify the best stocks to buy ahead of time, before the markets price a move in.
If you're one of 'em, don't beat yourself up too badly. It's a common misconception.
The next "rate riot" can be a fabulous opportunity, just as it was 16 months ago when I brought three recommendations to your attention under very similar market conditions and circumstances. Anybody who jumped on board has had the opportunity to capture returns of 41.98% versus only 0.86% from the Dow Jones Industrials over the same time frame.
One of the three stocks remains an especially compelling choice today.
Don't miss your chance just because the U.S. Federal Reserve might hike rates...
By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning -
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...
By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning -
The March FOMC meeting concludes today when the U.S. Federal Reserve releases its policy decision.
Now the focus shifts to what the decisions from the FOMC meeting today mean for investors and their money.
Before we get to that, here;s what investors are looking for from today's meeting...
By Cameron Saucier, Associate Editor, Money Morning -
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.
By Michael E. Lewitt, Global Credit Strategist, Money Morning • @MichaelELewitt -
Stocks actually rose last week, although you'd be hard-pressed to find an investor or hedge fund manager who is feeling good about things right now.
But the Dow Jones Industrial Average did in fact gain 105 points or 0.7% to close at 16,093.53 while the S&P 500 rose by 1.4% or 27 points to 1906.90. The Nasdaq Composite Index, home of the FANGS, added 2.3% to close at 4591.18. But as the title of the novel goes, it's "been down so long it looks like up to me."
By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning -
The Fed interest rate hike in December was the first rate increase for the U.S. Federal Reserve in nearly a decade. But now the focus has shifted to whether another Fed interest rate hike is coming in 2016.
Projections from policymakers show they will continue to raise their target range by a full percentage point during 2016. That would leave rates at a range of 1.25% to 1.5%.
But not everyone predicts such a smooth series of rate hikes from the Fed...
By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning -
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...
By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning -
Those who have been asking "will the Fed raise interest rates in December?" received an update Wednesday from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen.
Speaking to the House Financial Services Committee, Yellen said the economy is "performing well," and that a December rate hike is a "live possibility."
Here's what you need to know....
By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning -
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.
By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning -
U.S. markets opened sharply lower Thursday as many investors await the Janet Yellen speech tonight at 5:00 p.m. ET at the University of Massachusetts.
During the Janet Yellen speech, investors will be looking for any clues that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will raise interest rates this year for the first time in nearly a decade.
Here's what investors can expect tonight...
By Michael E. Lewitt, Global Credit Strategist, Money Morning • @MichaelELewitt -
Last week, the Fed chose to not raise interest rates. That decision will continue to render traditional bond investments unattractive, holding them to extremely low yields.
Just looking at the returns being generated by the largest bond funds shows you'll go hungry depending on bonds for income and total returns.
There is one way bond yields will go up... but it's not good. Here's what you need to know.
By Michael E. Lewitt, Global Credit Strategist, Money Morning • @MichaelELewitt -
Markets delivered a resounding Bronx cheer to the Federal Reserve on Friday after that confederacy of dunces failed to raise interest rates at its highly anticipated, two-day September meeting.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged by 290 points (1.74%), while the S&P 500 followed by 32 points (1.62%), and the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped by 67 points (1.32%).
On the week, the Dow lost only 49 points, or 0.3%, to close at 16,384.79, while the S&P 500 shed only 3 points, or 0.2%, to end at 1,958.03. Both indices remain down on the year.
By Michael E. Lewitt, Global Credit Strategist, Money Morning • @MichaelELewitt -
On Thursday the Fed blamed China for its policy paralysis.
This effectively expanded the Fed's dual mandate from trying to achieve full employment and price stability to trying to maintain global financial stability, but only succeeded in introducing more uncertainty to the situation.
And it gets worse. I want to show you why... and what I expect to happen now.