BOE Raises Interest Rate for First Time in More Than 10 Years

  • November 2, 2017
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Bank of England policy makers raised interest rates for the first time in a decade, yet showed concern for Britain’s Brexit-dented economy by indicating that another increase isn’t imminent. Led by Governor Mark Carney, the Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to increase the benchmark rate to 0.5 percent from 0.25 percent. The minutes underscored worries

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U.S. jobless claims near 44-1/2-year low; productivity accelerates

  • November 2, 2017
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The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell to a near 44-1/2-year low last week, supporting expectations of a sharp rebound in job growth in October after employment was depressed by hurricane-related disruptions in September.

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Fed holds off on November rate hike

  • November 1, 2017
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The Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady for another month, the central bank’s policy arm announced Wednesday. The Federal Open Markets Committee is keeping the money market interest rate range between 1 to 1.25 percent, opting against a raise. The Fed last hiked rates in June, the second hike of 2017. Fed officials are

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What to expect from the Fed today

  • November 1, 2017
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It’s Fed decision day. And if investors and analysts are judging correctly, the Federal Reserve will announce it is standing pat on interest rates and monetary policy at the conclusion of this week’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Even though the Fed isn’t expected to increase its benchmark interest rate — and won’t hold a

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Yellen reportedly out of race to be Fed chief

  • October 26, 2017
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Janet Yellen is no longer in the race to serve a second term as chair of the Federal Reserve, Politico reported, citing a person who talks “regularly” with President Donald Trump. That would leave the race to Fed Gov. Jerome Powell and Stanford economist John Taylor. The same report quoted someone “close to the process”

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Consumer confidence climbs to a nearly 17-year high in October

  • October 31, 2017
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The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index rose to 125.9 in October from an upwardly revised 120.6 in September. That’s the best reading since Dec. 2000.

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Chicago PMI jumps to six-and-a-half-year high in October

  • October 31, 2017
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The Chicago PMI jumped to 66.2 in October from 65.2 in the prior month, on a scale where any reading over 50 indicates improving conditions. This is the highest level in six-and-a-half years. Economists has expected a decline to 62.

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Consumer spending hits eight-year high in September – but gain inflated by hurricanes

  • October 30, 2017
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Consumer spending leaped 1% in September, the biggest gain since early mid-2009, just as the current economic recovery got underway. Economists polled had forecast a 0.1% increase due to hurricane-related spending. Personal income rose 0.4%. The savings rate fell to 3.1%, the lowest level since December 2007. The PCE index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation

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Economy grows at 3% rate in third quarter, despite negative impact from hurricanes

  • October 27, 2017
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The U.S. grew at a solid 3% annual pace in third quarter despite damage from two hurricanes, according to Commerce Department data. That’s above economist’s expectations of a 2.7% growth rate, according to a MarketWatch survey, and only slightly below the 3.1% growth rate in the second quarter. The last time the economy had two

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U.S. trade deficit in goods widens in September, advanced report shows

  • October 26, 2017
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An early look at trade patterns in September showed a 1.3% widening in the U.S. goods deficit — to $64.1 billion from $63.3 billion. Also, the government’s advanced report on retail inventories found a 1% decrease in September. Wholesale inventories rose 0.3%.

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