❗Let's close the gap: We still need your help to raise $40,000 by April 1. Donate now
Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen speaks during a news conference following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, September 21, 2016 in Washington, DC. Yellen announced that the Federal Reserve has decided to leave the interest rate unchanged for now. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Why the Fed is slow to raise interest rates

Nancy Marshall-Genzer Sep 21, 2016
Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen speaks during a news conference following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, September 21, 2016 in Washington, DC. Yellen announced that the Federal Reserve has decided to leave the interest rate unchanged for now. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The Federal Reserve is walking a fine line. 

On the one hand, the Fed doesn’t want to wait too long to hike interest rates.  Prolonged periods of low rates can create bubbles in different parts of the economy.

“Yes, of course we are worried that bubbles could form in the economy and we routinely monitor asset valuations,” said Fed Chair Janet Yellen at the press conference after the Fed’s September meeting.

For example, Yellen said the Fed is keeping a close eye on prices for commercial real estate, which are heating up.

So, the Fed has to watch out for bubbles.

But, on the other hand, the Fed doesn’t want to raise interest rates too soon.  That could choke off economic growth.

And then there’s psychology.  Markets are skittish.  Mere speculation about an interest rate hike is enough to set them off.  Wall Street parses every new statistic on the economy.

“Everyone is a detective now and is saying oh my gosh it must mean the world is going to come apart at the seams – retail sales were flat last month,” said Brent Schutte, chief investment strategist, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company.

In this environment, the Fed tries to telegraph its moves to investors.  In a statement after the September meeting the Fed said it did decide to wait on an interest rate hike.  But added, “the case for an increase in the federal funds rate has strengthened.”

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.