Ministers said they condemned 'in the strongest possible terms' increased military cooperation between North Korea and Russia
europe51 minutes ago
The Federal Reserve launched a high-risk effort Wednesday to tame the worst inflation since the 1970s, raising its benchmark short-term interest rate and signalling potentially up to seven rate hikes this year.
The Fed’s quarter-point hike in its key rate, which it had pinned near zero since the pandemic recession struck two years ago, marks the start of its effort to curb the high inflation that has followed the recovery from the recession. The rate hikes will eventually mean higher loan rates for many consumers and businesses.
The central bank’s policymakers expect inflation to remain elevated and to end 2022 at 4.3%, according to updated quarterly projections they released Wednesday. That’s far above the Fed’s 2% annual target. The officials also now forecast much slower economic growth this year, of 2.8%, down from its 4% estimate in December.
Chair Jerome Powell is steering the Fed into a sharp U-turn. Officials had kept rates ultra-low to support growth and hiring during the recession and its aftermath. As recently as December, Fed officials had expected to raise rates just three times this year. Now, its projected seven hikes would raise its short-term rate to 1.875% at the end of 2022. It could increase rates by a half-point at future meetings.
ed officials also forecast four additional hikes in 2023, boosting its benchmark rate to 2.8%. That would be the highest level since March 2008. Borrowing costs for mortgage loans, credit cards and auto loans will likely rise as a result.
Powell is hoping that the rate hikes will achieve a difficult and narrow objective: Raising borrowing costs enough to slow growth and tame high inflation, yet not so much as to topple the economy into recession.
Yet many economists worry that with inflation already so high — it reached 7.9% in February, the worst in four decades — and with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine driving up gas prices, the Fed may have to raise rates even higher than it now expects and potentially tip the economy into recession.
By its own admission, the central bank underestimated the breadth and persistence of high inflation after the pandemic struck. Many economists say the Fed made its task riskier by waiting too long to begin raising rates.
Since its last meeting in January, the challenges and uncertainties for the Fed have escalated. Russia’s attack has magnified the cost of oil, gas, wheat and other commodities. China has closed ports and factories again to try to contain a new outbreak of Covid, which will worsen supply chain disruptions and likely further fuel price pressures.
In the meantime, the sharp rise in average gas prices since the invasion, up more than 60 cents to $4.31 a gallon nationally, will send inflation higher while also probably slowing growth — two conflicting trends that are notoriously difficult for the Fed to manage simultaneously.
The economy’s steady expansion does provide some cushion against higher rates and more expensive gas. Consumers are spending at a healthy pace, and employers keep rapidly hiring. There are still a near-record 11.3 million job openings, far outnumbering the number of unemployed.
Ministers said they condemned 'in the strongest possible terms' increased military cooperation between North Korea and Russia
europe51 minutes ago
A final outcome may not be known for several days if the results are as close as opinion polls suggest
americas55 minutes ago
The Ukrainian President's chief of staff urged allies to give more support to counter Russian attacks
europe57 minutes ago
As a leader in egg-based innovations, Eurovo solidified its position at the Dubai Muscle Show, which took place from October 25 to 27 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre
kt network1 hour ago
The palm-sized LignoSat is tasked to demonstrate the cosmic potential of the renewable material as humans explore living in space
asia1 hour ago
From theatre and live entertainment to galleries and conferences, this versatile building in Downtown Dubai hosts a wide variety of events
life and living1 hour ago
The storm could hit land between Thursday evening and Friday morning around the northern province of Cagayan, bringing torrential rain to towns in its path, says weather agency
asia1 hour ago
The city has an efficient marine transport system apart from buses, metro, tram and taxis
life and living1 hour ago