interest rates

Many companies are borrowing now — if they can — in a bid to get ahead of further rate hikes this year.

A number of factors — the falling stock market, the war in Ukraine and rising interest rates — created uncertainty for companies that wanted to go public in 2022.

Pending home sales have dipped, and economists expect the market to continue to droop.

The prominent economist Mohamed El-Erian said the Fed is still “behind the curve” on inflation.

Some signs are already flashing red. Job creation and consumer spending, though, are still chugging along.

Though smaller than its previous three-quarter-point hikes, the move will further heighten the costs of many consumer and business loans.

The Fed’s balance sheet is one of its devices that’s managed to avoid the spotlight.

Credit card balances alone were up 15% in the third quarter. Higher prices for necessities and higher interest rates are contributing factors.

While the Fed has continued to hike interest rates, the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage has dropped from 7.16% to 6.4%.

Inflation has dipped slightly, according to a key measure known as the PCE. But economists have their favorite indicators.