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The number of newly laid off people filing claims for unemployment benefits bolted past 400,000 last week as companies trimmed their work forces to cope with a slowing economy.
The good news: The economy is not as bad as it was in the early 1980s, when unemployment hit 10% and the inflation rate touched the double digits. The bad news: A lot of small business owners think it is.
Mortgage brokers and loan officers are getting paid fat fees by lenders to put unsuspecting borrowers into expensive loans. And the new lending rules issued last week by the Federal Reserve do nothing to stop this abusive practice.
Treasury prices fell Wednesday as legislation aimed at rescuing the ailing housing market neared approval, giving bondholders a reason to venture back into more risky investments.
Oil prices continued to decline Wednesday, after a government report showed stronger-than-expected inventories and a Federal Reserve report showed a weakening economy.
The country slogged through slower economic growth and rising prices during the summer, packing a double whammy to people and businesses alike.
U.S. stocks staged a late-day rally Tuesday, with the Dow closing up 135 points, as falling oil prices overshadowed grim quarterly financial reports.
There are two things you may have heard about the Federal Reserve Board, both of which are wrong.
Treasury prices fell Tuesday as the president of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve said inflation needs to be corrected "sooner rather than later."
To fend off inflation, the Federal Reserve probably will need to boost interest rates "sooner rather than later" even if employment and financial conditions haven't revived, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said Tuesday.
The number of newly laid off people filing claims for unemployment benefits bolted past 400,000 last week as companies trimmed their work forces to cope with a slowing economy.
The good news: The economy is not as bad as it was in the early 1980s, when unemployment hit 10% and the inflation rate touched the double digits. The bad news: A lot of small business owners think it is.
Mortgage brokers and loan officers are getting paid fat fees by lenders to put unsuspecting borrowers into expensive loans. And the new lending rules issued last week by the Federal Reserve do nothing to stop this abusive practice.
Treasury prices fell Wednesday as legislation aimed at rescuing the ailing housing market neared approval, giving bondholders a reason to venture back into more risky investments.
Oil prices continued to decline Wednesday, after a government report showed stronger-than-expected inventories and a Federal Reserve report showed a weakening economy.
The country slogged through slower economic growth and rising prices during the summer, packing a double whammy to people and businesses alike.
U.S. stocks staged a late-day rally Tuesday, with the Dow closing up 135 points, as falling oil prices overshadowed grim quarterly financial reports.
There are two things you may have heard about the Federal Reserve Board, both of which are wrong.
Treasury prices fell Tuesday as the president of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve said inflation needs to be corrected "sooner rather than later."
To fend off inflation, the Federal Reserve probably will need to boost interest rates "sooner rather than later" even if employment and financial conditions haven't revived, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said Tuesday.
Ever find yourself going off on the customer service representative after a particularly steep credit card fee or unexpected rate increase? Well now is your chance to tell those who could ultimately change credit card laws in the United States.
Treasury prices eased Monday as stocks opened higher, lifted by stronger-than-expected earnings from Bank of America, and as the dollar lost ground to the euro.
Engulfed by economic and financial turbulence, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has taken extraordinary steps to ease the nation's problems. His own finances are a bit more straightforward.
U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told the U.S. Congress on Wednesday that troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in "no danger of failing."
Some Federal Reserve policymakers said late last month that they believed interest rate hikes would be needed "very soon" to combat inflation, according to minutes of the Fed's last meeting.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies for a second day before Congress amid a backdrop of fading confidence in the U.S. economy
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Wednesday that troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in "no danger of failing"
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Wednesday that troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in "no danger of failing."
Record gas and higher food prices drove inflation to the biggest annual jump since 1991 and fanned fears about growing pressures on consumers.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies for a second day before Congress amid a backdrop of fading confidence in the U.S. economy.
The housing finance crisis and spiraling energy costs will remain a drag on the U.S. economy for the rest of the year, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told lawmakers in a gloomy presentation about the economic outlook.
This is one of those days you probably wished you stayed in bed.
Short-term bond prices rallied Tuesday, but long-term bonds fell after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave a grim economic outlook.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Tuesday the fragile economy is facing "numerous difficulties" despite the Fed's aggressive interest rate reductions
The Federal Reserve unanimously approved new mortgage lending rules Monday in a crackdown on shady practices - particularly those involving subprime loans made to borrowers with weak credit.
The federal government's plan to rescue Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac won support from some experts and politicians Monday but did not fully assure investors in the beleaguered mortgage finance giants.
Oil prices were virtually unchanged Monday as a plan to aid the major U.S. mortgage finance firms was countered by continuing concerns about supply, particularly after Brazilian oil workers began a 5-day strike.
The Federal Reserve has adopted rules to give home buyers more protection from the types of shady lending practices that have contributed to the housing crisis
Inflation risks haven't gone away, but the Federal Reserve might not be able to do much about it right now.
The Treasury Department and Federal Reserve on Sunday outlined a comprehensive government plan to prop up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - the two mortgage finance giants that play a crucial role in the U.S. economy.
The U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve announced steps Sunday to shore up mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
The United States' trade deficit narrowed in May as exports - including industrial supplies and consumer goods - climbed to all-time highs.
In a sign of some improvement in the credit crisis, Wall Street firms for the first time didn't borrow from the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program and commercial banks also scaled back
Wall Street companies didn't borrow from the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program over the past week while commercial banks scaled back, sending a sign of of some improvements in credit strains.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke urged lawmakers Thursday to help modernize how the nation's beleaguered financial system is regulated.
If you've ever had your interest rate jacked up on your credit card, it's your turn to gripe. Here are top tips on how to make your complaints count.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson are to brief Congress on how to revamp the country's antiquated financial regulatory system.
The Federal Reserve will issue new rules next week aimed at protecting future homebuyers from dubious lending practice
The biggest threat to the stock market and the economy may not be the housing market or more big losses from large banks. It's probably Iran.
The dollar fell against other major currencies Wednesday, giving up gains made in the previous session.
The euro rose slightly against the dollar Wednesday as markets mulled plans by the U.S. Federal Reserve to protect future home buyers from shoddy mortgages and German exports sagged.
Stocks surged Tuesday, with falling oil prices and a stronger dollar giving investors an incentive to scoop up financial services and other shares hit in the recent selloff.
The Federal Reserve will issue new rules next week aimed at protecting future homebuyers from dubious lending practices, its most sweeping response to a housing crisis that has propelled foreclosures to record highs
Recent inflation figures are "unacceptably high" and the Federal Reserve should focus on combating that rather than on stimulating the economy, Richmond Federal Reserve President Jeffrey Lacker said Tuesday.
The dollar rose against the euro Tuesday as investors weighed plans by the U.S. Federal Reserve to protect future homebuyers from shoddy mortgages and prospects of it giving companies more time to tap emergency loans.
The Federal Reserve will issue new rules next week aimed at protecting future homebuyers from dubious lending practices, its most sweeping response to a housing crisis that has propelled foreclosures to record highs.
Elizabeth "Betsy" Duke, the newest addition to the Federal Reserve's chief policymaking group, is a lifelong commercial banker who many Fed watchers hope can balance out a board riven by inflation pressures, a weakened Wall Street, and a slowing economy.
The Federal Reserve is considering giving squeezed Wall Street firms more time to draw emergency loans directly from the central bank to help them overcome credit problems
The dollar was mixed on Monday as the stock market lost ground, after making gains earlier in the day on falling oil prices.
The pact between the Federal Reserve and the Securities and Exchange Commission should enhance regulatory cooperation between the two agencies, allowing them to more effectively carry out their regulatory duties, officials said
Financial regulators on Monday announced an information-sharing agreement aimed at better detecting potential risks to the U.S. financial system.
The almighty dollar is mighty no more. It has been declining steadily for six years against other major currencies, undercutting its role as the leading international banking currency.
The dollar rose against the euro Thursday after a government report on the labor market came in largely as expected despite persistent rumors that a much bleaker number was in store.
Rates on 30-year fixed mortgages fell for the first time in three weeks after the Federal Reserve said last week that it expects inflation to level off, according to mortgage backer Freddie Mac.
It's appropriate, as we head into a long holiday weekend to celebrate America's independence, that the dollar rallied a bit Thursday.
The fireworks may come a day early for the financial markets if the European Central Bank, as expected, raises interest rates on Thursday.
The Federal Reserve has auctioned another $75 billion in loans to squeezed banks to help them overcome credit problems and announced it will provide a fresh batch of the loans this month.
Oil prices fluctuated Monday, surging past $143 a barrel for the first time and then falling back as a rising dollar prompted some investors to sell. Meanwhile, the price of gas at the pump hit another record high.
The weakened dollar isn't just wreaking havoc for Americans traveling overseas - it is hitting consumers right at home.
Oil prices surged above $143 a barrel for the first time ever Monday, as a weaker dollar spurred investors to seek refuge in dollar-denominated oil futures to hedge against inflation.
The weakened dollar isn't just wreaking havoc for Americans traveling overseas - it is hitting consumers right at home.
The Federal Reserve decided to hold steady on short-term interest rates. We're no longer in a falling-rate environment. Here are some top tips on what you need to do now.
The Federal Reserve scrambled to avert an "expected contagion" that risked infecting the nation's financial system when its took unprecedented actions in mid-March to provide financial backing to a Bear Stearns rescue package and provide emergency loans to big Wall Street firms.
Thursday's stock market selloff reflects a sobering truth: Nine months of strong medicine have failed to cure the credit crisis and left the economy in a weakened state.
Treasury prices rose and yields nose dived Thursday as the equity market sold off furiously, sending investors flocking to the perceived safety of the bond market.
Oil reached $140 a barrel for the first time ever Thursday following reports that Libya may cut production and an OPEC official said crude could hit $170 a barrel this summer.
Rates on 30-year mortgages rose again this week, climbing to the highest level in more than nine months, reflecting more concerns about how the Federal Reserve will respond to higher inflation pressures.
The economy turned in a better - but still subpar - performance in the first three months of this year, mostly spurred by stronger sales of U.S. products overseas.
Even Warren Buffett is wrong some of the time. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke is hoping this is one of them.
If the outlook for the banking industry worsens in the months ahead, the Federal Reserve may have something to do with it.
Oil prices moved higher Thursday after falling sharply in the previous day's session on a report that showed U.S. stockpiles of oil and fuel were larger than expected.
If you have a mortgage, carry credit cards and are considering a home equity loan to cope with soaring food and energy prices, you should be paying attention to what the Fed has to say.
Treasury prices recovered some of their loses from earlier in the day after the Federal Reserve announced its decision to hold the key federal funds interest rate at 2%.
The Fed's words will speak louder than its actions this afternoon.
Stocks gave up bigger gains by the close Wednesday, as investors welcomed the Fed's decision to hold rates steady, as expected, but remained wary about the economy.
The Federal Reserve left its key short-term interest rate unchanged Wednesday at 2%, marking the first time in the nine months that it did not cut rates.
Oil prices settled more than $2 lower Wednesday after a government report showed an unexpected rise in crude stockpiles.
The dollar was down against the euro and yen Wednesday afternoon, after the Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates steady.
This statement was posted on the Federal Reserve Web site on June 25, 2008.
Stocks sustained gains Wednesday afternoon after the Federal Reserve held a key short-term interest rate steady, as expected.
Wall Street thinks the Federal Reserve is almost certainly done cutting interest rates for the time being.
Orders to factories for big-ticket manufactured goods were basically flat in May as strength in demand for aircraft and computers was offset by widespread weakness elsewhere.
Stock futures moved higher early Wednesday, ahead of a slew of economic reports and the Federal Reserve's policy statement on interest rates.
When the Fed concludes a two-day meeting, it is expected that the central bank will express more concerns about inflation and in that way signal that rate increases could be on the way
Treasury prices rallied Tuesday, lifted by a strong 2-year note auction and a report showing consumer confidence dropped more than expected in June. All this as investors wait for the Federal Reserve's interest-rate announcement Wednesday afternoon.
Stocks ended lower Tuesday after a volatile session in which reports showing further erosion in consumer confidence and home prices rattled investors ahead of the latest interest-rate decision from the Federal Reserve.
Hey, is it just me or does it seem like there have been approximately 350 "retirements" in this year's Wimbledon over the first two days? It's looking like Del Boca Vista at Wimby with all the retirees.
Borrowing costs are likely to hold steady as the Federal Reserve tries to avoid both stirring inflation and stifling a fragile economy
The dollar lost ground against the 15-nation euro Tuesday as a key economic report showed a large drop in consumer confidence.
Stock futures tumbled early Tuesday, as high oil prices and worries about corporate profits hung over investors ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting on interest rates.
The Nasdaq tumbled and the broader market was mixed Monday afternoon as investors eyed ongoing problems in the financial and automaker sectors and a rise in oil prices.
Government bond prices were mixed on Monday as investors look toward the Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday.
The dollar gained strength against major currencies Monday after two reports indicated weakness in Europe's two biggest economies.
Lehman Brothers, a firm with a storied past but an uncertain present, has turned into Wall Street's latest drama - a modern-day financial version of the "Perils of Pauline," the famous damsel-in-distress flick. At this point in the Lurches of Lehman, we aren't certain whether chief executive Dick Fuld will become Wall Street's latest human sacrifice or whether the firm itself will survive or in what form. But even with the drama still ongoing, here are a few things to think about the Lehman mess.
The dollar fell against major currencies on Friday amid renewed concerns about the financial sector and speculation that the Federal Reserve won't raise interest rates at its two-day meeting next week.
An economic and housing rebound may be a ways off but Wall Street is already in recovery mode. And that should translate into happier times for investors during the second half of the year.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson pressed for swift changes to how the nation's financial system is regulated Thursday, most notably giving broader powers to the Federal Reserve following the dramatic near collapse of Bear Stearns in March.
The dollar edged higher against both the dollar and the yen on Thursday, as oil prices fell and investors expect the Federal Reserve to hold rates steady next week.
Government bond prices gained steam throughout the day Wednesday as stocks sold off for the second session in a row, amid weak earnings reports, dour housing-market news and soaring oil prices.
The dollar edged lower against the euro and the yen Wednesday, extending a decline that was sparked by a poor inflation report the previous day.
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