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With oil prices gushing above $126 a barrel, it's tempting to blame Europe for this inflationary mess.
Suddenly inflation is the word on everyone's lips. But as much as they might like to, policymakers cannot forget about a bigger problem - the lingering effects of the credit crunch.
The Federal Reserve has auctioned $28.77 billion in safe Treasury securities to big investment firms as part of an ongoing effort to ease credit problems.
The Federal Reserve bears much of the responsibility for keeping the nation's economy on track but few Americans are fully convinced that the central bank can improve the country's financial situation.
Worker productivity rose by a better-than-expected amount in the first three months of the year while labor cost pressures eased.
The Federal Reserve reports that more banks are tightening lending standards on home mortgages, other types of consumer loans and business loans
Treasurys advanced Monday, with investors again seeking safety in response to a drop in stocks and a big jump in crude oil prices.
The dollar's recent rally ran into headwinds Monday as traders weighed the widening gap between the U.S. central bank's lending rates and other rates around the globe.
The Federal Reserve reports that more banks are tightening lending standards on home mortgages, other types of consumer loans and business loans in response to a spreading credit crisis.
The worst-case scenarios just aren't playing out.
With oil prices gushing above $126 a barrel, it's tempting to blame Europe for this inflationary mess.
Suddenly inflation is the word on everyone's lips. But as much as they might like to, policymakers cannot forget about a bigger problem - the lingering effects of the credit crunch.
The Federal Reserve has auctioned $28.77 billion in safe Treasury securities to big investment firms as part of an ongoing effort to ease credit problems.
The Federal Reserve bears much of the responsibility for keeping the nation's economy on track but few Americans are fully convinced that the central bank can improve the country's financial situation.
Worker productivity rose by a better-than-expected amount in the first three months of the year while labor cost pressures eased.
The Federal Reserve reports that more banks are tightening lending standards on home mortgages, other types of consumer loans and business loans
Treasurys advanced Monday, with investors again seeking safety in response to a drop in stocks and a big jump in crude oil prices.
The dollar's recent rally ran into headwinds Monday as traders weighed the widening gap between the U.S. central bank's lending rates and other rates around the globe.
The Federal Reserve reports that more banks are tightening lending standards on home mortgages, other types of consumer loans and business loans in response to a spreading credit crisis.
The worst-case scenarios just aren't playing out.
Stocks were mixed Friday, following an otherwise upbeat week on Wall Street, as rising oil and gold prices and Sun Microsystems' surprise quarterly loss countered any relief about the April employment report.
The Federal Reserve on Friday pushed ahead with a proposal to stop abuses by credit card issuers, a day after two other key bank regulatory agencies proposed effectively the same package of new rules.
Treasury prices tumbled Friday after the government's payroll report came in better than expected, raising speculation that the Federal Reserve will stop lowering interest rates.
As the fight for votes intensifies, a new poll finds that more Americans say they'll be swayed by the candidate who can fix the economy and tame inflation, especially at the gas pump.
The Federal Reserve announced Friday that it will expand a series of efforts to deal with the global credit crisis, in coordination with European central banks.
The dollar continued its gains against the euro Friday following signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve that its run of interest-rate cuts may be over for now.
Employers cut far fewer jobs in April than in recent months and the unemployment rate dropped to 5 percent, a better-than-expected showing
Big Wall Street investment companies are pulling back on their borrowing from the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program.
Stocks surged Thursday, starting off the new month with a bang, as investors hailed better-than-expected readings on manufacturing and consumer spending, one day after the Fed hinted the economic outlook seems to have stabilized.
Investors moved out of Treasury bonds on Thursday as a rally in stocks sent the Dow Jones industrials up more than 180 points.
Oil prices settled lower Thursday as the dollar strengthened against the euro despite a cut by the U.S. central bank in its key interest rate.
The dollar gained strength Thursday amid mixed economic data following the Federal Reserve's signal that it might be done with rate cutting for the near term.
Oil fell sharply Wednesday after the Federal Reserve said it would lower interest rates by 1/4 of a percentage point. Earlier in the day, prices eased following a report that showed supplies of crude increased more than expected last week.
While the Federal Reserve's aggressive drive to lower interest rates appears to be over, there could be benefits for consumers in other places -- like some relief from soaring gasoline and food costs
Japanese shares fell Thursday as investors sold banking stocks after the U.S. Federal Reserve cuts its key interest rate.
Stocks ended lower Wednesday, erasing earlier gains, as investors took a 'sell the news' reaction after the Federal Reserve cut a key short-term interest rate, as expected, and signaled it may not cut rates again anytime soon.
The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point Wednesday, but the central bank's statement signaled it may be the last rate cut for at least a while.
The dollar fell against a mixed bag of currencies and long-term treasury prices retreated from their highs Wednesday after the Federal Reserve announced it again is cutting interest rates.
(WASHINGTON) -- The Federal Reserve has cut a key interest rate by a quarter-point, a smaller move than the aggressive easing it undertook earlier this year.The Fed action, announced Wednesday after a two-day regular meeting, pushed the federal funds rate down to 2 percent, its lowest level since late 2004. It marked the seventh consecutive rate cut by the central bank since it began easing credit conditions last September to combat the growing threat of a recession brought on by a deep housing slump and credit crisis.The rate cut will mean lower borrowing costs throughout the economy as banks reduce their prime lending rate, the benchmark for millions of consumer and business loans.The Fed move was in line with expectations. Wall Street believes this could well wrap up the Fed's rate cuts unless the economy threatens to fall into a worse slump than currently expected.The Fed said it stood ready to "act as needed to promote sustainable economic growth and stability." That phrase was seen as a signal that
The market is eager to see Ben Bernanke heading for the sidelines. But with the U.S. economy softening, he may not stay there for long.
The Federal Reserve will decide today whether to continue cutting interest rates. Here's how it will (or won't) affect your wallet.
Stocks rallied Wednesday afternoon, with the Dow briefly crossing 13,000 after the Federal Reserve cut a key short-term interest rate by a quarter-percentage point, as expected, and signaled it may soon pause its rate-cutting campaign.
This statement was posted on the Federal Reserve Web site on April 30, 2008.
Battling risky economic crosscurrents, the Federal Reserve is ready to bump down a key interest rate again to brace the wobbly economy. That rate cut could turn out to be the last one for a while as zooming energy and food prices heighten inflation concerns.
Stocks futures turned positive Wednesday after the latest reading on the U.S. economy came in slightly better than expected, while investors awaited a rate decision from the Federal Reserve and digested a host of negative corporate earnings announcements.
The dollar fell slightly against the euro in early trading Wednesday as markets awaited a decision on interest rates by the U.S. Federal Reserve later in the day.
Stocks futures were range bound early Wednesday as investors awaited a rate decision from the Federal Reserve and more corporate earnings.
Japanese shares fell Wednesday as investors sold commodity stocks, although investors were cautious ahead of an announcement by the Federal Reserve on interest rates.
The dollar rose against most major currencies Tuesday as markets waited to see if the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank would continue its campaign to lower interest rates.
Treasury prices rose Tuesday as investors sought safety following a report of a sharp drop in home prices and a further slide in consumer confidence.
Stocks ended mixed Tuesday for the second day in a row, after declining most of the session, following a troubling report on consumer confidence and some trepidation about what the Federal Reserve will decide at the conclusion of its two-day meeting that began this morning.
Crude oil prices and the value of the dollar have been marching in different directions for months. But that may shift if the Federal Reserve signals on Wednesday that its rate-cutting campaign has come to a close.
The Federal Reserve is poised to deliver another interest rate cut to millions of people and businesses this week, although that could be the last break they get for a while
The soaring price of crude oil isn't good for most people, but it could spell opportunity for Ben Bernanke.
Stocks ended mixed Monday, giving up gains sparked by Mars' $23 billion buyout of Wrigley, as investors pulled back ahead of the start of the two-day Fed policy meeting and key readings on economic growth and the labor market.
Treasury prices rose in quiet trading Monday as investors waited for the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates later this week.
Oil and gasoline prices continue to soar Monday as worker strikes, political turmoil, and speculation of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve rocked a market that does not need much of an excuse to trade higher.
Stocks futures edged higher early Monday, lifted by a possible $22 billion deal for chewing gum giant Wrigleys, but investors were cautious ahead of this week's Federal Reserve meeting.
Battling risky economic crosscurrents, the Federal Reserve is ready to bump down a key interest rate again to brace the wobbly economy. That rate cut could turn out to be the last one for a while, as zooming energy and food prices heighten inflation concerns.
Treasury prices extended their decline Friday as investors bet that the Federal Reserve will indicate next week it plans to end its campaign of interest rate cuts.
Big Wall Street investment companies are pulling back on their borrowing from the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program, a sign that credit conditions may be improving a bit.
Treasury prices fell Thursday as investors, already anticipating an end to the Federal Reserve's rate-cutting campaign, found another reason to sell government bonds when a report showed a surprising drop in unemployment claims.
Treasurys fell Wednesday amid fears the government's record $30 billion auction of 2-year debt will flood the market with new supply.
The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday it will auction an additional $75 billion in super-safe Treasury securities to big investment firms, part of an ongoing effort to help strained credit markets.
Congress appears eager to help more than a million homeowners facing foreclosure, but a proposal aimed at fixing the battered housing market could instead end up as the latest blow to a recovery.
Battling to relieve stressed credit markets, the Federal Reserve has provided a total of $360 billion in short-term loans to squeezed banks since December to help them overcome credit problems.
The economy is in trouble and fear rules Wall Street. No wonder. Banks and other financial companies are posting huge losses. The Federal Reserve has had to engineer a rescue of investment bank Bear Stearns. Home prices are sinking.
Treasury prices declined Monday as investors speculated that the Federal Reserve would follow the Bank of England's lead in using means beyond cutting interest rates to ease tightness in the credit markets.
There's a moderately amusing McDonald's commercial where office workers bemoan the moribund state of the dollar until they realize how much they can buy with a buck on Mickey D's dollar menu.
The Federal Reserve has auctioned nearly $25 billion in super-safe Treasury securities to big investment firms, part of an ongoing effort to relieve credit strains.
Big Wall Street investment firms should be subject to greater regulatory oversight because any severe problems they might encounter can raise dangers to the entire financial system, the Federal Reserve's No. 2 official said Thursday.
The country's economic health deteriorated further in the early spring as shoppers buckled under the strains of the housing and credit debacles and a weaker employment climate.
Make no mistake, inflation is a big headache for Americans. Just ask our readers.
Consumers, hit by rising energy prices, paid slightly more for goods and services in March. But the overall inflation gain was in line with Wall Street expectations.
Inflation is the itch that the Federal Reserve just can't seem to scratch.
There is little debate about whether the U.S. economy is in a recession. The question is how painful and long the downturn will be.
CNN International's Financial Editor Todd Benjamin gives his own thoughts and impressions in this blog.
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the second time in about a week in January amid rumblings about a recession. While Wall Street may celebrate the lower rates, what will it mean for the average consumer? CNN personal finance editor Gerri Willis breaks it down.
Alan Greenspan was once known for his inscrutable pronouncements, but his penchant for self-justification is now plain for all to see.
Despite overwhelming signs that the economy is now in a recession, some investors are increasingly pondering another 'R' word: Recovery.
Despite overwhelming signs that the economy has moved deep into recession territory, some investors are increasingly pondering another 'R' word of late: Recovery.
Futures see-sawed Wednesday on more upheaval among some key financial firms and UPS' warning of a slowdown in the packages it carries.
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, famous for helping whip sky-high inflation in the early 1980s, said Tuesday that rising prices should again be a subject of concern for the U.S. economy.
Some members of the Federal Reserve are worried about the possibility of a "severe and protracted downturn" in the U.S. economy that could last into next year, according to the minutes of the central bank's latest meeting released Tuesday.
Here are the minutes from the March 18, 2008 meeting of the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee:
You may think your job is safe. But you still may not be spared the pain resulting from the weak labor market.
Stocks were mixed Friday - at the end of an otherwise upbeat week on Wall Street - as the dismal March jobs report vied with hopes that the worst may be over for the market.
An influential member of the Federal Reserve said that the U.S. economy "has all but stalled" and could shrink over the first half of the year, the latest warning sign of a recession from a central bank official.
Employers buffeted by talk of recession slashed 80,000 jobs in March, the most in five years and the third straight month of losses
The job market is in sorry shape. And that's going to make the Federal Reserve's job a lot harder.
Congress on Thursday will scrutinize JPMorgan Chase's controversial acquisition of Bear Stearns and quiz top executives from both firms as well as the regulators who helped engineer the rescue.
George Carlin famously joked about seven dirty words you're not supposed to say. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has apparently added a word to that list: recession.
It's a Herculean task: revamping a financial regulatory system dating back to the Civil War to deal with 21st century crises imperiling the country.
Top Democrats Monday dismissed the Bush administration's plan to overhaul the nation's financial regulatory system as inadequate, with one leading senator calling the proposals a "wild pitch."
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson proposed a set of sweeping changes on Monday aimed at modernizing the nation's financial system in what could herald the biggest regulatory overhaul of Wall Street since the Great Depression.
What in the world is going on here? Why is Washington spending billions to bail out Wall Street titans while leaving struggling homeowners to fend for themselves? Why are the Federal Reserve and the Treasury acting as if they're afraid the world may come to an end, while the stock market seems much less concerned? And finally, what does all this mean to those of us who aren't financial professionals?
An influential member of the Federal Reserve called for more financial education to help low-income mortgage borrowers Monday.
Is Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's plan to overhaul the financial services industry going too far? Not far enough? Does the plan put too much power in the hands of the Federal Reserve?
The Federal Reserve would have the power to regulate virtually the entire financial industry under a Treasury Department proposal to be announced Monday.
The Federal Reserve would have the power to regulate virtually the entire banking and securities industry under proposals to be unveiled Monday by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, according to a summary of the proposals provided to CNN late Friday.
The Federal Reserve will auction another $100 billion in April to cash-strapped banks as it continues to combat the effects of a credit crisis
Consumers, jolted by a credit crisis, job cuts and soaring energy costs, turned in the weakest spending performance in 17 months in February, further evidence that the risks of a recession are increasing
U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open Friday as sentiment recovered after two straight sessions of declines.
The economy nearly sputtered out at the end of the year and is probably faring even worse now amid continuing housing, credit and financial crises
The federal government is keeping Bear Stearns out of bankruptcy. Are you next?
Stocks tumbled Wednesday as weak economic news, spiking commodity prices and a bearish analyst note on investment firm earnings gave investors a reason to bail after the recent advance.
Fighting to ease a dangerous credit crisis, the Federal Reserve has provided a total of $260 billion in short-term loans to squeezed banks since December to help them overcome credit problems
It looks like the Federal Reserve has opened up a can of worms.
For the first time since the credit markets began to unravel last summer, the Federal Reserve didn't buckle to Wall Street's demands. It looks like Fed chair Ben Bernanke may be growing into this job.
Stocks jumped Tuesday, with the Dow surging 420 points, its fourth-biggest one-day point gain ever, after the Federal Reserve cut the fed funds rate by three-quarters of a percentage point, surprising investors looking for a larger cut.
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