Powell

State of the Economy Part Two

Believe it or not, we're basically halfway through 2021, which means it's time for a little "State of the Economy" with our favorite numbers cruncher and overall badass, Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) unanimously voted to keep short-term interest rates unchanged and the pace of asset purchases at $120 billion per month. The statement following the June meeting was much more upbeat about the progress of vaccinations and the economy.

The bottom line is that Fed Chairman Jerome Powell tried to reassure the public and financial markets that the Fed will not allow inflation to get out of control. The Fed’s own forecast, or “dot plot” as it is called, showed a substantial move up in the timing of rate hikes. The problem for financial markets is that inflation and rate hikes are always unwelcome.

Have a money question? Email us, ask jill [at] jill on money dot com.

Please leave us a rating or review in Apple Podcasts.

"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

State of the Economy Part One

Believe it or not, we're basically halfway through 2021, which means it's time for a little "State of the Economy" with our favorite numbers cruncher and overall badass, Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) unanimously voted to keep short-term interest rates unchanged and the pace of asset purchases at $120 billion per month. The statement following the June meeting was much more upbeat about the progress of vaccinations and the economy.

The bottom line is that Fed Chairman Jerome Powell tried to reassure the public and financial markets that the Fed will not allow inflation to get out of control. The Fed’s own forecast, or “dot plot” as it is called, showed a substantial move up in the timing of rate hikes. The problem for financial markets is that inflation and rate hikes are always unwelcome.

Have a money question? Email us, ask jill [at] jill on money dot com.

Please leave us a rating or review in Apple Podcasts.

"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Mixed Jobs Report Bolsters Fed Rate Cut Case

Mixed Jobs Report Bolsters Fed Rate Cut Case

The August report bolsters the case for another quarter-point interest rate cut when the Federal Reserve meets on September 17-18. Officials will cite the slowdown in job growth and softening manufacturing data, but will also likely reiterate that the economy remains on solid footing overall.

How Fed Rate Cuts Impact YOU

How Fed Rate Cuts Impact YOU

For the first time in a decade, the Federal Reserve is likely to cut interest rates. Citing the “crosscurrents” of slowing global growth, uncertainty over trade policy, and static prices, the central bank will preemptively shave 0.25 percent from the fed funds rate, putting the new range at 2-2.25 percent.