Federal Reserve

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.

The recent surge in volatility could slow the U.S. economic recovery and that may create a new headache for the Federal Reserve. 

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.

U.S. stocks rose in early trading on Tuesday, led by energy companies as the price of oil turned higher.

The economic data at-hand presents a very clear-cut case for the FOMC to begin normalization however, they won’t until December.

The U.S. stock market drifted lower Monday following more signs of slowing growth in China.

Asian stocks were mostly lower Monday after China reported weak factory output and as investors looked ahead to a U.S. Federal Reserve decision this week on whether to raise interest rates.

Asian stocks were mostly lower Monday after China reported weak factory output and as investors looked ahead to a U.S. Federal Reserve decision this week on whether to raise interest rates.

Asian stock markets mostly rose Friday, propelled by a tail wind from Wall Street and glimmers of improvement in some economies.

U.S. stocks are wavering between small gains and losses in the first few minutes of trading, while markets were mostly lower in Europe and Asia.

U.S. stocks are flitting between slight gains and losses in early trading Thursday as investors try to anticipate when and how quickly the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.

Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates inched up this week as financial markets awaited the Federal Reserve's crucial decision next week on interest rates.

U.S. stocks opened lower Friday after a mixed U.S. jobs report left investors uncertain about the outlook for the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy.

Asian stock markets were lower Friday with Tokyo's index down more than 2 percent as caution prevailed before the release of the monthly U.S. jobs report and the resumption of trading on Chinese stock markets next week.

Is 2 percent inflation too high to reach? The Federal Reserve and European Central Bank have been striving to generate a small dose of inflation — around 2 percent annually, just enough to spur more spending and income but not so much that prices surge out of control.

U.S. and global stocks rose Thursday as a holiday in China gave investors a break from the recent torrid swings in that country's markets.

Stocks moved lower in mid-morning trading Monday as oil prices fell and investors reacted to signs that the Federal Reserve was still on pace to raise interest rates in September.

Asian stocks fell Monday after a U.S. Federal Reserve official suggested a September interest rate hike still was possible and Japanese factory activity weakened.