Here's why Fed Chair Jerome Powell just raised interest rates, again
t’s been a difficult year for the U.S. economy. While consumer spending remains strong, and there are nearly twice as many open jobs as people looking for work, inflation is at its highest level in decades.
In the meantime, consumers and businesses will find it more expensive to borrow from banks, as interest rates rise on everything from auto loans to mortgages.In short, the Fed hopes its rate hikes will temper demand for consumer goods and services by making it more expensive to borrow money. A host of factors are combining to make the Fed’s fight against inflation particularly difficult. “Job gains have been robust in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Inflation remains elevated, reflecting supply and demand imbalances related to the pandemic, higher food and energy prices, and broader price pressures,” the central bank said in a statement Wednesday.
Since interest rate hikes go into effect immediately, economists say it has potential to more quickly help control inflation.Rising interest rates can have a number of effects on market conditions and the economy, some of which are positive, and others that may carry some risks that are difficult to bear.
Additionally, with mortgage rates more expensive, some Americans may find it more difficult to buy a house this winter even though the housing market is starting to ease up. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage, the most popular home loan, was below 4% in late March but had topped 7% by late October, meaning some first-time home buyers who may not have enough money saved up could be pushed out of the market altogether.
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