Does the Fed actually set interest rates?

Jul 26, 2024
The Fed has a series of tools in its arsenal to influence interest rates, including the all-important federal funds rate.
When interest rates go down, the cost of borrowing money goes down too.
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Biden White House has a lot on its economic plate before term ends

Jul 26, 2024
Lindsay Owens of the Groundwork Collaborative points to relief from junk fees and medical debt as well as policy fights around taxes.
President Joe Biden speaking in Chicago about his "Bidenomics" economic agenda.
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Fact-checking the economic claims in Donald Trump’s convention speech

Alan Rappeport, economic policy reporter at The New York Times, examines the former president's assertions about inflation, taxes and energy.
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Why do weddings cost so much? 

Jul 12, 2024
The average cost of a wedding reached $33,000 in 2023. Expenses can add up quickly as couples face pressure to put on the perfect celebration.
The average cost of a wedding this year is $33,000, according to wedding registry service Zola.
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Sticky shelter prices make Fed's 2% inflation target hard to reach

Jul 11, 2024
Housing costs rose 5.2% in June from a year earlier, pulling up the consumer price index.
Housing is in a supply crunch, which is keeping costs high and inflation from dropping further. But that doesn't mean the Fed won't cut rates.
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Climate change is expensive, and it could add to overall inflation

Jul 11, 2024
High temperatures can lead to price spikes and headline inflation, a study finds. Sarah Kaplan of The Washington Post explains.
Global olive oil prices have surged after extreme heat and drought in Europe last year cut production nearly in half, says Sarah Kaplan of The Washington Post.
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As Americans wait for the Fed to cut interest rates, inflation continues its downward trend.
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For public good, not for profit.

Real earnings outpace inflation, helping consumers offset price growth

Jul 11, 2024
Raises in real earnings help offset price increases but not all consumers share the benefits equally.
Even though real earnings have recently outpaced inflation, consumer sentiment is still pretty glum.
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Small-business optimism climbs, but inflation agita persists

Jul 9, 2024
The mood among businesspeople is better than it has been this year, but they're still more pessimistic than the historical average.
High costs remain top of mind for many small-business owners, according to a survey from the NFIB
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Stocks are up, but so are consumer prices. What's the connection?

Jul 8, 2024
Investors are often wary of inflation. But those higher prices can bring benefits to companies.
Inflation has eased, the Federal Reserve has held interest rates steady and stocks have been making new highs.
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