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Mar 16, 2022

A small number with a huge impact

The Federal Reserve announced a 0.25% interest rate hike today. But reining in inflation while supporting an economic recovery is a tricky balancing act.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 02: Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell testifies about 'monetary policy and the state of the economy' before the House Financial Services Committee on March 02, 2022 in Washington, DC. Powell currently holds the title of chair 'pro tempore' because his nomination for a second four-year term was stalled by Senate Republicans protesting President Joe Biden's nomination of Sarah Bloom Raskin to be the central bank's Wall Street regulator. — WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 02: Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell testifies about 'monetary policy and the state of the economy' before the House Financial Services Committee on March 02, 2022 in Washington, DC. Powell currently holds the title of chair 'pro tempore' because his nomination for a second four-year term was stalled by Senate Republicans protesting President Joe Biden's nomination of Sarah Bloom Raskin to be the central bank's Wall Street regulator.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

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Segments From This Episode

Federal Reserve lifts interest rates a quarter point
by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry
Tom Williams-Pool/Getty Images
Citing high inflation and the tight labor market, Fed Chair Jerome Powell announces the first rate hike since 2018.
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Companies reroute cargo away from Russian rail network
by Kristin Schwab
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
It could put extra pressure on global shipping and force companies to raise prices.
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If China aids Russia, what options would the U.S. have?
by Savannah Peters
Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images
The U.S. could expand tariffs on Chinese goods — but that may raise prices for American consumers.
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February was another disappointment for retail sales
by Samantha Fields
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
They’ve been up and down like a bouncing ball for the past few months.
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What the Fed’s move could mean for mortgage interest rates
by Amy Scott
Saul Loeb/AFP Getty Images
It’s not as simple as you might think.
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How the war in Ukraine could impact U.S. food prices
by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst
David Rogers/Getty Images
A grain wholesaler explains why a war in Europe is driving up grain prices around the world.
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Music from the episode

The Team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer
Maria Hollenhorst Producer II
Andie Corban Producer I
Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II
Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I
Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

A small number with a huge impact