Government And Institutions

The imposition of negative interest rates by central banks in Japan and Europe has American investors spooked that the U.S. Fed might be mulling a similar policy. They needn't worry.

Yellen will appear Wednesday and Thursday and she will undoubtedly be asked if the Fed has backed off plans to raise interest rates as many as four times in 2016.

With an eye toward recent global market turbulence, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday left interest rates alone while acknowledging the rough start to 2016 and offering assurances that interest rates probably won't be moving any higher any time soon.

Asian stock markets climbed Tuesday after Fed officials tried to soothe fears over the world economy and investors hoped for stabilization in weak China factory data.

U.S. stocks rose broadly Monday as investors looked beyond the uncertain timing of a possible interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve.

Asian stock markets were mostly lower Monday after concerns about global growth weighed on U.S. and European share prices.

U.S. stocks are falling in early trading Friday, following a sharp sell-off in European markets, as investors consider the implications of the Federal Reserve's decision to hold off raising interest rates.

So what will it take for the Federal Reserve to finally raise interest rates? The U.S. economy is now in its seventh straight year of expansion.

Federal Reserve policymakers have slightly lowered their projections for growth and inflation in the next two years, an outlook that likely factored into their decision to hold off on raising interest rates.

A comparison of the Federal Reserve's statements from its two-day meeting that ended Wednesday and its meeting July 28-29: INTEREST RATES: Now: No change: "The (Fed) today reaffirmed its view that the current 0 to 1/4 percent target range for the federal funds rate remains appropriate." Then: "The (Fed) today reaffirmed its view that the current 0 to 1/4 percent target range for the federal funds rate remains appropriate." GLOBAL ECONOMY: September: "Recent global economic and financial developments may restrain economic activity somewhat and are likely to put further downward pressure on inflation in the near term." July: The Fed simply said it was monitoring international developments: The Fed's decisions "will take into account a wide range of information, including ...

The latest on the Federal Reserve's meeting regarding interest rates (all times local): ___ 12:50 p.m.

U.S. stocks were wavering between small gains and losses in early trading Thursday ahead of the Federal Reserve's announcement on whether it would raise interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade.

Below is the statement the Fed released Thursday after its policy meeting ended: Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in July suggests that economic activity is expanding at a moderate pace.

The Federal Reserve is keeping U.S. interest rates at record lows in the face of threats from a weak global economy, persistently low inflation and unstable financial markets.

For the second straight week, average long-term U.S. mortgage rates inched up this week as financial markets awaited the Federal Reserve's crucial decision on interest rates.

Asian stock markets and currencies were mostly higher Thursday as investors bet the Federal Reserve would not raise interest rates at this week's closely watched meeting.

The Federal Reserve's decision Thursday to hold a key interest rate at historic lows will extend a period of tense speculation among investors.

As it does once each quarter, the Federal Reserve will deliver a triple-dose of news Thursday afternoon — a policy statement, economic forecasts and a news conference by Chair Janet Yellen.

Stocks were little changed in early trading Wednesday as investors wait to hear from the Federal Reserve and work through company news, including a possible deal between two giant beer makers.

Will they or won't they? Nine years after they last raised their benchmark interest rate and after months of feverish speculation, Federal Reserve policymakers this week may finally raise that rate from a record low near zero.