FOMC: Lift-off, finally

Dec 16, 2015 22:32 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

After probably the longest run-up in history, the Fed hiked interest rates at todays meeting. In a unanimous decision, the target range for federal funds was increased to 0.25%-0.50%. Fed chair Yellen promised a gradual...

Fitch: U.S. Fed Rate Rise May Add to Sovereign Challenges

Dec 16, 2015 21:37 pm UTC| Research & Analysis Central Banks

The U.S. Federal Reserves (the Fed) decision to increase interest rates is in line with Fitch Ratings expectation that the U.S. central bank would start to normalise monetary policy by the end of 2015. This process has...

Federal Reserve raises policy rate for the first time in nearly a decade

Dec 16, 2015 20:00 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

They did it. As near-universally expected, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced an increase in the federal funds target rate of 0.25 percentage points to a range of 0.25% to 0.50%. The upper range of this...

Last thoughts ahead of expected Fed lift-off

Dec 16, 2015 17:38 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

It is widely expected that, after a seven-year period at near-zero, the US Fed will raise interest rates. Economists anticipate a 25bp increase in the target range for the fed funds rate. Admittedly, Chicago Fed President...

Fed Liftoff Series

FED liftoff series – end of series note

Dec 16, 2015 16:38 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

FOMC decision that we have been focusing on for past days in this series covering various aspects, probabilities, possibilities surrounding a rate hike from FED, is finally here and just few hours away. Not forgettable,...

Fed Liftoff Series

FED liftoff series – Decision day – watch out for dissenters

Dec 16, 2015 15:29 pm UTC| Insights & Views Central Banks

We are only few hours away from much anticipated FOMC decision. We expect, a 25 basis points hike in Federal fund rate, discount rates and 25 basis points hike in excess as well as required reserve. We also expects FED to...

Fed Liftoff Series

FED liftoff series – Decision day – general overview

Dec 16, 2015 14:34 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

Today finally there is almost certainty that US Federal Reserve will hike rates by 25 basis points, for first time in almost a decade and officially ending long seven years of accommodation. FED however has indicated that...