U.S. stocks slumped on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 wiping out its gains from earlier in the week, as investors reacted to the Federal Reserve's latest outlook on interest rates and the economy. ...

The Fed’s rate pause —and expectations that it may not lower rates again any time soon – is a mixed bag for consumers when it comes to the interest rates they will find for their savings and debts.Here's what you should know: https://t.co/gi4QCnHR2u https://t.co/chhxTWLUEI ...

MAYBE JUST NOT QUITE GOOD ENOUGH HERE AFTER THIS TORRID RUN. >> 60% RUN YEAR TO DATE. EVEN SO, ABSOLUTELY.A LOT OF IT PRICED IN. >> ALL RIGHT. MEANTIME, LET'S DIG DEEPER INTO CHAIR POWELL'S FUTURE AT THE FED AND THE PATH OF INTEREST RATES THIS YEAR.JOINING US NOW IS ALAN BLINDER. HE'S A FORMER VICE CHAIRMAN AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE, PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT PRINCETON. PROFESSOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.WE DO APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE TONE OF THE FED TODAY. DID ...

Economic Outlook - The Fed has increased its 2026 US GDP forecast to 2.4% from 2.3% and raised its core PCE projection to 2.7% from 2.5% [1] - The FOMC voted 11-1 to maintain the fed funds target range at 3.50% to 3.75%, indicating solid economic activity and elevated inflation [1] Inflation and Prices - US February PPI final demand rose by 0.7% month-over-month and 3.4% year-over-year, exceeding expectations of 0.3% and 3.0% respectively [1] - PPI excluding food and energy increased by 0.5% month-over-month and 3.9% year-over-year, also surpassing expectations [1] Mortgage Applications - US MBA mortgage applications fell by 10.9% for the week ending March 13, with the purchase mortgage sub-index up by 0.9% and the refinancing sub-index down by 18.5% [1] - The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.30% from 6.19% [1] Stock Market Performance - The S&P 500 Index closed down by 1.36%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average down by 1.63%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index down by 1.43% [4] - The Magnificent Seven technology stocks, including Amazon and Tesla, closed lower, contributing to the overall market decline [11] Oil Market Dynamics - Crude oil prices remain high due to disruptions in global supply, with the IEA reporting a cut of 8 million barrels per day this month due to the ongoing conflict in Iran [6] - Goldman Sachs warns that crude prices could exceed $150 per barrel if flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain depressed [6] International Markets - Overseas stock markets showed mixed results, with the Euro Stoxx 50 down by 0.56% and China's Shanghai Composite up by 0.32% [7] Company-Specific Movements - Rocket Lab closed down more than 11% after announcing plans to sell up to $1 billion in shares [16] - Macy's reported Q4 net sales of $7.64 billion, exceeding consensus estimates, and forecasted full-year net sales between $21.40 billion and $21.65 billion [19]

Group 1 - Gold prices have declined for six consecutive days, marking the longest losing streak since late 2024, primarily due to comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding higher energy prices pushing up overall inflation [1] - The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged but indicated a forecast for one rate cut this year, acknowledging increased uncertainty due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East [2] - The increase in energy prices and a hotter-than-expected inflation report have led to speculation that the Fed will refrain from cutting interest rates this year, causing gold to tumble by as much as 3.4% [5] Group 2 - The recent decline in gold prices is attributed to a broader market repositioning, with oil reacting to supply risks and gold experiencing profit-taking alongside a stronger dollar and real yields [6] - Despite recent declines, gold prices are still up more than 10% year-to-date, supported by geopolitical risks and concerns regarding the Fed's independence [7]

The Federal Reserve has announced it is keeping interest rates on hold. This is the second consecutive time the board voted to leave rates unchanged after three straight cuts. The decision comes as the Fed tries to navigate waves of economic uncertainty.First, the impact of the war with Iran. The conflict has already caused crude oil, gas, jet fuel, and home heating oil prices to sore. Another factor is the future of tariffs.This is the first interest rate decision since the Supreme Court struck down many o ...

The rate is. You can characterize it as in the high end of neutral or you can characterize characterize it as perhaps mildly restrictive, even modestly restrictive. No one knows for sure, but it's in that range where it's somewhere around the borderline between restrictive and not.Remember that that a big part of the disinflation we're looking for is just the runoff of when tariffs are put into place. Of course, what they do is they raise prices to some extent. To the extent those prices are, the tariffs ar ...

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference at the Federal Reserve Board Building in Washington, DC, on Jan. 28, 2026.Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says he will keep serving as head of the central bank if his nominated successor, Kevin Warsh, is not confirmed by the time his term is up in May, as dictated by the law.Separately, Powell said he will not leave his Board of Governors position, which technically extends until early 2028, until the Department of Justice investiga ...

This episode of Market Sense dives into the unfolding conflict in Iran and how the tanker shutdown in the Strait of Hormuz is affecting global energy markets. You'll hear from a Fidelity portfolio manager about why a prolonged closure could disrupt everything from oil and gas prices to major supply chains. We also break down what’s driven the energy sector’s strong year-to-date performance, and what opportunities and risks might lie ahead in 2026. Plus, we’ll explore how higher fuel costs could influence in ...

Three members who favored no cuts in this year moved their diets down to one. The statement goes on to say The implication of developments in the Middle East for the US economy are uncertain and the committee remains attentive to risks to both sides of their mandate. They still see one more cut in 2027.Stephen Myron, the only dissenter he wanted a quarter point cut this time. And from the dots, we discern that he still wants 100 basis points at some point this year. The language about future moves remains t ...