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We know the Fed will raise interest rates soon. The question is: how many times?

Jan 31, 2022
It all depends on how much inflation the central bank sees in the economy.
Karen Bleier/AFP via Getty Images

After hitting record lows, mortgage rates are rising again

Jan 19, 2022
So far, that hasn't had a chilling effect on applications.
Though mortgage rates are increasing, mortgage applications are also up as homebuyers hope to avoid further rate hikes.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

“The pandemic has been a period of financial success for me”

Jan 10, 2022
Alex Hendee is among those who benefited from the housing market disruption caused by the pandemic.
Alex Hendee bought this house in Richmond, Virginia, just before the pandemic sparked a housing market boom in the area.
(Courtesy Hendee)

Why interest rates, stocks and crypto are sometimes correlated

Jan 6, 2022
On Wednesday, the Nasdaq lost more than 3%. The S&P 500 sank nearly 2%. Cryptocurrencies fell, too. Is that all related?
​For some people, cryptocurrencies are like gold — a place to store and protect your money. Above, a woman walks past a cryptocurrency exchange in April 2021.
Chris McGrath via Getty Images

Where might Fed rate hikes show up for consumers?

Dec 17, 2021
Consumer loans and credit cards are sensitive to interest rate hikes. Long-term government bonds could also rise, affecting mortgages. But banks may not raise rates by much, to stay competitive.
The Federal Reserve Building in Washington, DC.
OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

Where inflation may linger

Dec 15, 2021
Despite Federal Reserve action, inflation may persist for homes, but gasoline and food prices may respond more quickly.
Apartment buildings in Miami. Inflation might persist in the shelter category despite Federal Reserve action, some experts say.
Joe Raedle via Getty Images

With a road map to higher interest rates, the Fed starts with baby steps

Sep 23, 2021
The U.S. economy will need to keep improving in order for rates to go up.
The Federal Reserve building is seen on March 2021 in Washington, D.C. The Fed's tapering of bond-buying and upping of interest rates is likely to be a slow, gradual process.
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Is income inequality the reason why interest rates have been low?

Wealthy people and their savings are driving down interest rates, a recent paper suggests. Marketplace contributor Chris Farrell explains it.
A recent paper by economists suggest income inequality is the reason why interest rates have been low for decades. Above, a 2011 news report shows the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates near zero until 2013.
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

What's behind the boom in IPOs?

Jun 17, 2021
The type of companies that have gone public this year are often in sectors that have done well during the pandemic.
According to Dealogic, the amount of money raised through IPOs in 2021 has already surpassed the total in 2020, and it's only June.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Why the Fed is taking longer than other central banks to ease COVID relief

Jun 16, 2021
The Fed has a dual mandate to control inflation as well as unemployment, unlike other central banks.
A view of the Federal Reserve building in Washington, D.C.
Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images