The Federal Reserve on Tuesday raised its estimate for economic growth next year and forecast lower unemployment ahead, although the jobless rate will stay uncomfortably high for at least the next three years.
Stocks cut losses Tuesday afternoon, as the Fed's improved outlook and some signs of improvement in housing tempered a weaker revision on economic growth released in the morning.
The dollar fell against a basket of currencies Monday after comments from a senior Federal Reserve official reinforced expectations U.S. interest rates would stay low for some time.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has a tough road ahead.
More than a year after the financial meltdown of 2008, Congress is moving forward on plans to drastically curtail the power of the Federal Reserve.
Like most Americans, you're probably pledging to save more next year -- already savers are socking away cash at a better pace than they have in years (3.7% of income recently, up from just 0.2% in early 2008).
Consumer prices in October were essentially unchanged from a year ago, the government reported Wednesday, as the rising cost of oil and gas offset earlier price declines.
Treasury prices were lifted Tuesday as investors pulled back on the previous day's gains on Wall Street, spurring demand for perceived safe haven assets.
More than a year after the financial system came to the brink of collapse, Congress is finally starting to make headway on bills that aim to prevent future catastrophes.
The Federal Reserve announced proposed rules Monday to implement the gift card provisions of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009.
The Federal Reserve on Tuesday raised its estimate for economic growth next year and forecast lower unemployment ahead, although the jobless rate will stay uncomfortably high for at least the next three years.
Stocks cut losses Tuesday afternoon, as the Fed's improved outlook and some signs of improvement in housing tempered a weaker revision on economic growth released in the morning.
The dollar fell against a basket of currencies Monday after comments from a senior Federal Reserve official reinforced expectations U.S. interest rates would stay low for some time.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has a tough road ahead.
More than a year after the financial meltdown of 2008, Congress is moving forward on plans to drastically curtail the power of the Federal Reserve.
Like most Americans, you're probably pledging to save more next year -- already savers are socking away cash at a better pace than they have in years (3.7% of income recently, up from just 0.2% in early 2008).
Consumer prices in October were essentially unchanged from a year ago, the government reported Wednesday, as the rising cost of oil and gas offset earlier price declines.
Treasury prices were lifted Tuesday as investors pulled back on the previous day's gains on Wall Street, spurring demand for perceived safe haven assets.
More than a year after the financial system came to the brink of collapse, Congress is finally starting to make headway on bills that aim to prevent future catastrophes.
The Federal Reserve announced proposed rules Monday to implement the gift card provisions of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009.
Federal regulators, in rushing to rescue AIG last year, failed to use their clout to negotiate concessions from business partners of the troubled insurer, a bailout overseer said on Monday.
After three years of slumping house prices, the end of the real estate bust may finally be in sight. Home sales are rising, inventories are shrinking, and most economists believe values nationwide will hit bottom in the second half of the year -- but not before falling another 5% to 10% first.
The Federal Reserve on Thursday released a new rule to prohibit banks from automatically enrolling customers in overdraft protection programs, which charge fees when consumers spend more than they have.
Gold is soaring to record high prices, and guess who has the biggest stash?
You may not feel as if we're out of the woods yet. But the consensus among the 50 leading economists regularly surveyed by the Blue Chip Economic Indicators is that the recession is indeed over, and from a technical standpoint at least, probably ended in the summer.
The dollar and yen rose Friday after a report showed the U.S. unemployment rate spiked and the economy lost more jobs than expected, stoking concerns about the U.S. economy and restoring safe-haven demand for both currencies.
Is the Fed about to hit the brakes on the Wall Street gravy train?
The Federal Open Market Committee in its statement November 4 left unchanged the language that its ultra-low rates would be kept for "an extended period". By not even signaling an end to the current era of easy money, the central bank runs the risk of further inflating asset and commodity prices and sinking the dollar.
Stocks ended mixed Wednesday, giving up bigger gains after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged and said it will keep them low for an extended period.
The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate near zero once again Wednesday. It added in a statement that although the economy continues to improve, it intends to stay the course in recent months.
Government debt was mixed on Wednesday after the Fed said it would keep interest rates near zero and scale back the amount of debt it is buying.
Oil prices stayed above $80 a barrel Wednesday as a government report showed a surprise drop in crude inventory.
This statement was posted on the Federal Reserve Web site on Nov. 4, 2009:
The dollar fell Wednesday as a rally on Wall Street undermined demand for the greenback as a safe haven.
Oil erased earlier losses and gained on Tuesday as investors responded to Warren Buffett's $44 billion investment in U.S. railway operator Burlington Northern Santa Fe.
Bond prices were mixed on Tuesday afternoon as investors await a statement from the Federal Reserve on monetary policy due Wednesday and monthly jobs data due Friday.
U.S. stocks were set to slide at Tuesday's open, as investors remained on edge at the start of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting.
U.S. Treasurys fell Monday after stronger-than-expected data on manufacturing, construction and home sales spurred hopes of a solid economic recovery and dented demand for safe-haven U.S. debt.
Now that we're officially (if barely) out of the Great Recession, it's time for our nation's elected officials to get down to serious business -- that of taking credit, assigning blame, and calling each other liars.
A growing number of Americans are becoming aware of the Federal Reserve System, what it is, how it has precipitated our financial crisis, and how it continues to pursue policies that delay economic recovery and weaken the dollar.
Now that the economy has broken its four-quarter long slump, will Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke be more open to the idea of raising interest rates sometime soon?
Treasurys fell Monday after the government kicked off a record weekly offering of $123 billion in U.S. debt.
Bond prices fell Wednesday after the Federal Reserve released its latest report showing signs of a stabilizing economy.
The economy has shown signs of stabilizing or modestly improving in recent weeks, according to the latest Federal Reserve snapshot of regional economic conditions.
This is a quiz. What do the record-high Wall Street bonuses have in common with the record-low yields for savers?
Currency investors continue to remain concerned that the U.S. Federal Reserve will hold rates near zero and that the dollar could lose its place as the world's dominant reserve currency.
Treasurys eased Thursday as investors digested the latest readings on inflation, labor and manufacturing.
A smaller rise in energy prices resulted in a slower increase in overall prices in September, according to a government report Thursday.
Treasurys fell Wednesday as upbeat corporate earnings sparked a rally in stocks and on the release of meeting minutes from the Federal Reserve.
Most Federal Reserve policymakers believe that an economic recovery has started, although they view the turnaround as weak enough that some want the central bank to take additional steps to stimulate the economy, according to minutes of a meeting last month that were released Wednesday.
Treasury prices rose Tuesday as a weak dollar encouraged overseas investors to buy U.S. debt.
The Federal Reserve threw a lot of money at the crisis to get the gears of the economy turning again -- but it may soon be time to collect on the bill.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Thursday endorsed most of the Obama administration's plan to overhaul the regulatory system, except for a consumer agency.
Treasurys were mixed Tuesday, with the 30-year bond rising following a surprise drop in consumer confidence, while shorter-term debt was pressured by concerns about the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy.
Stocks slumped Thursday, falling for the second straight session, as a surprise drop in existing home sales and tumbling commodity prices gave investors a reason to sell into a rally that pushed the major gauges to one-year highs.
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates near zero on Wednesday and said the economy is improving. But the Fed also pointed out ongoing job losses could dampen a recovery.
The Federal Reserve is going to keep interest rates near zero for the foreseeable future. That much is certain.
Oil prices tumbled below $68 a barrel Wednesday after the government reported a surprise increase in crude supplies and the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged.
Treasurys mostly rose Wednesday after the Federal Reserve announced plans to hold interest rates steady and the market absorbed an auction of $40 billion in U.S. debt.
Stocks tumbled Wednesday, retreating from one-year highs, as investors took a sell-the-news reaction to the Fed's decision to hold interest rates steady and keep its economic outlook relatively unchanged.
This statement was posted on the Federal Reserve Web site on Sept. 23, 2009:
The dollar hovered near a one-year low Wednesday after the Federal Reserve left a key interest rate unchanged near 0%, though it said "economic activity has picked up."
U.S. stocks were headed for modest gains Wednesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's policy statement due out in the afternoon.
Whose recovery is the Fed stimulating, anyway?
U.S. stocks were set to open higher Tuesday, following the lead of a European rally ahead of the start of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has said that the recession is "very likely over," but the Fed isn't acting like we're in a recovery.
Falling commodity prices and financial shares dragged on blue chips Monday, keeping the market choppy after a more than six-month advance.
With little on the docket to challenge investor optimism, the defiantly bullish stock market is looking to extend its staggering run in the week ahead.
Are there any mirrors in the headquarters of the Federal Reserve? If so, I think it's time for Ben Bernanke and his colleagues to look into one.
It's been 12 months since Lehman Brothers failed, setting off a chain reaction that came horrifyingly close to destroying the world's financial system.
As government regulators switch from crisis-mode to rescue mode, many of the biggest and most successful bailout programs are well on their way to extinction. But there are plenty of others that are gaining momentum as the economy heads toward a recovery.
Most of the time we keep our political opinions and our investing decisions in separate mental compartments. Sure, some folks buy "socially responsible" mutual funds to match the bumper stickers on their Priuses, but they're in the minority. And even they probably don't think that their political sentiments will make them an extra nickel.
Are gold investors starting to sense something wrong that others are missing?
Although the recession isn't officially over yet, there is a growing sense that the economy is now in a recovery. But there is also a growing debate about who deserves the credit.
Federal Reserve policymakers were pleased by signs of improvement in the U.S. economy but added that the recovery is still fragile, according to the minutes of their most recent meeting.
An increasing number of economists agree with the government's response to the recession, saying they believe the economy is on the road to recovery, according to a survey released Monday.
For an academic from Dillon, S.C., Ben Bernanke is an unlikely gunslinger.
The dollar continued to lose ground Friday at the end of a week in which it became cheaper for banks to borrow in yen than dollars for the first time in 16 years.
President Obama announced Tuesday that he plans to nominate Ben Bernanke to a second term as head of the Federal Reserve.
President Obama is expected to nominate Ben Bernanke to a second term as head of the Federal Reserve, a senior administration official told CNN Monday night.
Stocks surged Friday, with the Dow, Nasdaq and S&P 500 all ending at fresh 2009 highs, after Fed chief Ben Bernanke said the economy is near a recovery and existing home sales posted their biggest jump in two years.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said that the U.S. economy is about to start growing again, although he cautioned it will be a slow recovery with continued high unemployment in the near term.
The Federal Reserve clearly isn't rushing for the exits any time soon.
The government's index of prices paid by consumers was unchanged in July from the previous month, but the closely watched inflation gauge recorded its largest over-the-year decline in 59 years.
Treasury prices rose Thursday after the government sold $15 billion worth of 30-year bonds and a pair of weaker-than-expected economic reports vied with the Federal Reserve's more optimistic outlook.
Home mortgage rates were mixed this week as the Federal Reserve began easing away from its repurchase of Treasurys.
U.S. stocks were poised to open higher Thursday, buoyed by the Federal Reserve's economic outlook, but lost momentum in the face of an unexpected decline in retail sales and an increase in jobless claims.
Treasury prices turned mixed Wednesday, with 2-year notes edging up slightly, on a day in which the Federal Reserve said it would slow the pace of its purchases of long-term securities and a 10-year note auction drew firm demand.
Stocks sustained gains Wednesday after the Federal Reserve held interest rates near historic lows and signaled the economy has finally started to stabilize.
The Federal Reserve said Wednesday it appears that the U.S. economy has halted the longest period of decline since the Great Depression, although it cautioned that economic activity is likely to remain weak in the near term.
This statement was posted on the Federal Reserve Web site on August 12, 2009.
U.S. stocks were poised for a flat open Wednesday, as investors looked to the Federal Reserve's policy statement later in the day for an indication of the economy's status.
Suddenly, it seems, economists everywhere are starting to talk about the end of the recession.
The Federal Reserve has spent the past year cleaning up after a housing bubble it helped create. But along the way it may have pumped up another bubble, this time in stocks.
Stocks slumped Tuesday, with a pummeling in bank shares and jitters ahead of a Federal Reserve announcement giving investors a reason to retreat.
U.S. stocks were poised for a lackluster open Tuesday, as the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting and a three-day Treasury auction both get underway.
Stocks slipped Monday as investors pulled back ahead of a two-day Federal Reserve meeting and following a big rally that pushed the Dow and S&P 500 to 9-month highs.
After two years of pumping money into the financial system to keep the economy afloat, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will have to reverse the process or risk an opposite problem: inflation.
The independent overseer of the $700 billion bailout has caused a ruckus over an important question: How much do taxpayers have on the line?
One of the signature proposals in the Obama administration's efforts to reshape the regulatory framework for banks has been slowed as supporters regroup in the midst of mounting opposition.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Sunday that lessons learned from the recession and the financial crisis will help make the economy stronger than it was before the crisis.
Ben Bernanke is showing us the door. In a newspaper editorial and Congressional testimony on Tuesday, the Federal Reserve chairman detailed the central bank's strategies for sucking excess liquidity out of the economy when it begins to recover. His stratagems make sense, but will require expert timing.
Speculation that Ben Bernanke might very well be appointed for a second-term as Federal Reserve Chairman when his term expires in January 2010 has to remind one of Washington's Alice in Wonderland-like quality.
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has a major problem on his hands. He is doing his best to try and save the economy from slipping further into recession. But he may have to sacrifice the U.S. dollar in the process.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told lawmakers Tuesday that the economy has started to show signs of stabilization, although he cautioned that improvement is uncertain and likely to be gradual going forward.
The independent overseer of the $700 billion bailout has caused a ruckus over an important question: How much do taxpayers have on the line?
The economy seems to be getting better. That's what Wall Street is telling us. Stocks soared Wednesday thanks to a slew of decent earnings reports.
It's always a red flag when so many economists agree on something. At least 175 of them have signed a petition in support of the U.S. central bank's independence. The Federal Reserve's current autonomy is to some extent illusory anyway. Even so, the very appearance of independence is a virtue worth defending.
Stocks surged Wednesday, with all three major gauges jumping at least 3% after Intel's forecast for a second-half pickup and the Federal Reserve's improved outlook reassured wary investors.
The unemployment rate could top 10% later this year, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday, but the central bank also said it believes the end of the recession could be in sight.
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