Interest rates Coverage

Homebuyers' quandary: to wait or not to wait for lower mortgage rates

Shop for a home now or hold out for the possibility of lower mortgage rates? That question is confronting many home shoppers this spring homebuying season.

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer

Stubborn inflation raises doubts Fed will cut rates this year

Counting food and fuel, the inflation measure climbed 3.5% in March from a year earlier, up from 3.2% in February and faster than what economists have anticipated. A rise in gas prices contributed to that inflation number.

Jeanna Smialek, New York Times

Key takeaways from the Fed’s rate decision and Powell’s press conference

Washington, DC (CNN) — The Federal Reserve held its key interest rate steady Wednesday for the fifth consecutive meeting, as the central bank awaits more data to determine when to cut rates.

By Bryan Mena, CNN

US applications for jobless benefits fall as labor market continues to show resilience

Fewer Americans filed for jobless claims last week as the labor market continues to show resilience in the face of elevated interest rates intended to cool economic growth in the U.S.

Fed Chair Powell: The ‘time is coming’ for a rate cut

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the time is coming for interest rate cuts, but asked Americans for a bit more patience in the central bank’s fight against inflation.

Walden: What went right to avert recession in 2023?

The question for 2024 is, are we are now back to the traditional economic rules?

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell talks interest rates

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a news conference Wednesday on interest rates following a two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

NC Bankers see 'soft landing' coming in 2024

With each passing month the chance of a recession diminishes, while the chance of a “soft-landing”  increases.

Inflation has slowed. Now the Federal Reserve faces expectations for rate cuts

Inflation is getting close to the Fed’s target rate, the economy is still growing at a healthy pace, consumers keep spending and the unemployment rate is near a half-century low.

Fed’s Barkin: March rate cut isn’t out of the picture.

If the economy were to undergo an annual physical, Richmond Federal Reserve President Tom Barkin would rate it “reasonably healthy.”

Mike Walden: Will fed actions influence the presidential election?

The last four years have shown the Fed flexing its muscles over the economy.

Now may be the time to lock in high interest rates on your savings

If you want to lock in generous rates on your cash savings for the next year or so, now may be the time to do it.

Ann Carrns, New York Times

Economic forecast predicts modest slowdown in 2024

A new economic forecast says inflation could still be an issue next year.

Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged and Signals Three Cuts Next Year

Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged in their final policy decision of 2023 and forecast that they will cut borrowing costs three times in the coming year, a sign that the central bank is shifting toward the next phase in its fight against rapid inflation.

Jeanna Smialek, New York Times

Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady

Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged in their final policy decision of 2023 and forecast that they will cut borrowing costs three times in the coming year.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell discusses decision to leave benchmark interest rate unchanged for third consecutive quarter

When its latest policy meeting ends Wednesday, the Fed will provide some highly anticipated hints about the extent of rate cuts next year. In the meantime, the Fed left its benchmark rate unchanged for the third straight time.

The Fed holds interest rates steady for third consecutive time

Washington, DC (CNN) -- The Federal Reserve said Wednesday it will hold interest rates steady at a 22-year high for the third consecutive meeting, as US economic growth slows and investors look toward the beginning of rate cuts sometime next year.

By Bryan Mena, CNN

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks on pause in interest rate hikes

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks on the Fed's decision to pause interest rate hikes.

The Fed holds interest rates steady for second time

Washington, DC (CNN) -- The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady Wednesday for the second consecutive meeting, leaving the central bank's benchmark lending rate at its highest level in 22 years.

By Bryan Mena, CNN

Fed Aims for Soft Landing With a Rate Pause and a Pledge to Move ‘Carefully’

Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday and released a roundly optimistic set of economic forecasts that showed inflation fading more swiftly this year even with a solidly growing economy.

Jeanna Smialek, New York Times

Triangle housing affordability falls to new low

The housing affordability index in the Triangle has dropped to a record low of 71, meaning that the typical family only earns 71% of the income needed to buy a typical home.

Triangle home affordability drops to record low as median prices hit $416K

Triangle home affordability drops to record low as median prices hit $416K

The housing affordability index in the Triangle has dropped to a record low of 71, meaning that the typical family only earns 71% of the income needed to buy a typical home.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Pivotal week ahead for economy: Rate hike expected, gas prices up in Raleigh

This is a pivotal week for the U.S. economy and your finances. The Federal Reserve could be announcing yet another interest rate hike -- the last for this cycle.

Kelsey Coffey, WRAL reporter

'Overheating labor market' may mean more interest rate hikes, UNC economist warns

The economy continues to create jobs; Congress has approved a debt ceiling deal. What does it all mean? Brian Shrader heard from a UNC economist about what he thinks will happen.