Federal Reserve policymakers held the federal funds rate at its current range of 2.25 to 2.50 percent. Analysts speculated that the Fed may lower its key rate based on signs of slowing economic growth and the President's encouragement to lower the Fed rate. Federal Open Market Committee members cited "uncertainties" in support of their decision not to change the Fed's key lending rate. A stiff month-to-month drop in jobs growth and worries over trade problems associated with recent tariffs … [Read more...]
FOMC Statement: No Changes to Key Fed Rate
The meeting of the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee ended Wednesday with the Committee's customary post-meeting statement recapping monetary policy matters considered by the Committee. Members voted not to change the current target rate range of the federal funds rate. The current rate range of 2.25 percent to 2.50 percent. Federal Funds Target Rate Range: Monetary Policymakers Remain "Patient" FOMC members cited low inflation pressures, global and domestic economic and … [Read more...]
FOMC Minutes Reveal Fed Policymakers U-Turn
Members of the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee voted to hold the target range of the federal funds rate to its current range of 2.25 to 2.50 percent. The minutes of the most recent Committee meeting cited softening domestic and global economic conditions as reason for not raising the target federal funds range. While labor markets remained strong, the minutes noted that household spending and business investment slowed in the first quarter of 2019. FOMC members expected Gross … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 25th, 2019
Last week's economic news included readings from the National Association of Home Builders, Federal Reserve Federal Open Market Committee and a press conference by Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Sales of pre-owned homes in February were reported along with weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. NAHB: Builder Confidence Unchanged Despite Headwinds Home builders remained confident about housing market conditions in March. The NAHB Housing Market Index posted a reading of 62, which … [Read more...]
