interest rate cut – News Stories About interest rate cut - Page 2

China Unveils Massive $586B Stimulus Bill

Nov 9, 2008 10:56 AM CST

China Unveils Massive $586B Stimulus Bill

Beijing focuses on boosting infrastructure, social welfare

(Newser) - China announced a $586 billion stimulus package today in its biggest move to stop the global financial crisis from hitting the world's fourth-largest economy. A statement on the government's website said China's Cabinet had approved a plan to invest the money in infrastructure and social welfare by the end of...

'Race to Zero' Under Way
as Central Banks Cut Rates

Nov 7, 2008 12:25 PM CST

'Race to Zero' Under Way as Central Banks Cut Rates

With Fed at 1% and European, Asian banks trimming, no-interest loans not far off, perhaps

(Newser) - Interest rates around the world are falling, with no end in sight as central banks hack away at obstacles to lending and try to jump-start their economies, Bloomberg reports. With the US rate at 1%, the Bank of England yesterday cut its key figure to 3%, the lowest since 1955,...

Retail Fears Drive Stocks Down

MARKET Open

Nov 6, 2008 8:51 AM CST

Retail Fears Drive Stocks Down

Same-store sales weak in October

(Newser) - Stocks took a modest slide at the open today, thanks to dismal data from retailers. The Dow fell 57 points, while the Nasdaq and S&P dropped 1.1% and 0.9% respectively, the Wall Street Journal reports. Most retailers, with the notable exception of Wal-Mart, posted bleak same-store sales...

UK Hacks Rates by 1.5% as Markets Fall; EU Trims .5%

UPDATED

Nov 6, 2008 6:30 AM CST

UK Hacks Rates by 1.5% as Markets Fall; EU Trims .5%

Grimmer-than-expected economic news pummels the global economy

(Newser) - The Bank of England—under massive pressure to stem the red ink drowning the continent's economy—slashed its key lending rate by an unprecedented 150 basis points today, reports Reuters. The move, which set the rate at 3%, dwarfed the 75-point cut market watchers had anticipated. Moments later the European...

Think 1% Is Low?
He Could Go to Zero

Oct 30, 2008 9:45 AM CDT

Think 1% Is Low? He Could Go to Zero

Analysts predict Japan-style cuts in interest rates

(Newser) - Yesterday Ben Bernanke cut the federal funds rate to an ectomorphic 1%—but the Fed might not be done yet. More and more analysts are predicting that the central bank will have to cut rates all the way to zero if it wants to get the economy moving again. But...

Fed Cuts Rate Half-Point to 1%

Oct 29, 2008 1:29 PM CDT

Fed Cuts Rate Half-Point to 1%

1% is lowest mark since 2004 as Bernanke tries to combat slowdown

(Newser) - The Federal Reserve surprised no one today, cutting interest rates by half a point, to 1%—as investors widely predicted he would, AP reports. “The pace of economic activity appears to have slowed markedly, owing importantly to a decline in consumer expenditures,” the Fed said in a statement,...

Market Dips as Eyes Turn to Fed

MARKET OPENING

Oct 29, 2008 8:55 AM CDT

Market Dips as Eyes Turn to Fed

But yesterday's gain hasn't evaporated yet

(Newser) - Stocks took a modest dip at the open today, as investors waited for a rate cut decision from the Federal Reserve. The Dow fell 53 points, while the S&P and Nasdaq crept down 0.9% and 1.1% respectively. Investors are expecting a half-point rate cut, bringing the fed...

Dow Jumps 889, Cracks 9,000

MARKETS

Oct 28, 2008 3:35 PM CDT

Dow Jumps 889, Cracks 9,000

Bargain hunters spur big gains as markets jump late

(Newser) - Stocks zoomed past the 9,000 mark late in today's session as investors ignored a rock-bottom consumer-confidence rating, focusing on blue-chip gains and the likelihood of another rate cut by the Federal Reserve, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow shot up 889.35 to close at 9,065.12....

As Investors Seek Cover, Central Banks Slash Rates

Oct 28, 2008 10:30 AM CDT

As Investors Seek Cover, Central Banks Slash Rates

Seeking to loosen credit, central banks plan another round of cuts

(Newser) - Central banks worldwide are slashing interest rates, attempting to stem the bleeding in financial markets as investors dump holdings, credit remains tight, and currencies spasm in value, the Washington Post reports. The Federal Reserve is set to cut rates for the second time in as many weeks tomorrow, while the...

Poor Day Ends Horrible Week

MARKETS

Oct 24, 2008 3:23 PM CDT

Poor Day Ends Horrible Week

Dow off 312, but bears show some restraint

(Newser) - US stocks declined today but stopped somewhat short of total free fall after global markets plunged close to 10%. With perhaps a buffer from news of a bump in existing US home sales, the Dow fell 312.30 to close at 8,378.95, MarketWatch reports. The Nasdaq dropped 51....

Stocks Fall 189 Despite Rate Cut

MARKETS

Oct 8, 2008 3:24 PM CDT

Stocks Fall 189 Despite Rate Cut

Alcoa offers dismal earnings report to start third-quarter season

(Newser) - Stocks fell nearly 190 points in a volatile day, with investors showing mixed opinions on whether an unprecedented global rate cut by the Fed and foreign central banks would help the credit crisis. After swinging in a 433-point range, the Dow closed down 189.01 points at 9,258.10,...

Stocks Rocky After Rate Cuts

updated

Oct 8, 2008 9:25 AM CDT

Stocks Rocky After Rate Cuts

Investors cheer/jeer/cheer the rate cut

(Newser) - Stocks had a volatile morning, dropping as much as 230 points after the bell before swinging upwards once more, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow was up about 39 points at midmorning, while the Nasdaq and S&P gained 0.7% and 0.8% respectively, as investors digested a...

Fed Joins 5
Central Banks
in Shock Rate Cut

Oct 8, 2008 7:04 AM CDT

Fed Joins 5 Central Banks in Shock Rate Cut

US, EU, UK, others offer 50-point reduction to reverse diving markets

(Newser) - The Federal Reserve and five other central banks cut interest rates by 50 basis points in an emergency attempt to stem the economic effects of the credit crisis, reports Bloomberg. The move brings the American benchmark rate to just 1.5%, while the European Central Bank and the monetary authorities...

Stocks Sink as Bernanke Hints at Rate Cut

MARKETS

Oct 7, 2008 1:28 PM CDT

Stocks Sink as Bernanke Hints at Rate Cut

After early optimistic surge, Dow falls 300 points

(Newser) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned today that the financial crisis has not only darkened the country's current economic performance but also could prolong the pain. The Fed chief's gloomy assessment appeared to hint of an interest rate cut on or before the Fed’s next meeting later this month....

Asia Stocks Edge Up

Oct 7, 2008 4:58 AM CDT

Asia Stocks Edge Up

Aussie rate cut spurs recovery in some markets, Nikkei down to 5-year-low

(Newser) - Asian stocks outside Japan made a modest recovery from yesterday's plunge after Australia slashed its interest rate a full percentage point to 6%, Reuters reports. Indexes in South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore all edged up slightly. In Japan, the Nikkei was down 3% to a 5-year low after the Bank...

Fed Weighs
Emergency
Rate Cut

Oct 2, 2008 9:28 AM CDT

Fed Weighs Emergency Rate Cut

As economy deteriorates, inflation becomes less of a concern

(Newser) - Mounting fears that the credit crisis and continually worsening economic data will push a stagnant US economy into a severe recession has spurred the Federal Reserve to consider cutting interest rates from their current 2%, the Wall Street Journal reports. Even if the House follows the Senate in passing the...

Wait on Rate Hikes Until
Crisis Eases

OPINION

Sep 3, 2008 5:55 PM CDT

Wait on Rate Hikes Until Crisis Eases

Fed should ignore critics, hold its ground until markets rebound

(Newser) - Critics claim the Federal Reserve has been too eager to cut interest rates, and that lax policy has exacerbated inflation. But the Fed should hold its ground, Desmond Lachman argues in the American, until the housing and credit markets are clearly on the rebound. The credit crunch has prompted banks...

Fed Likely to Hold Rates—
for Now

Jun 25, 2008 6:17 AM CDT

Fed Likely to Hold Rates— for Now

Bernanke hopes the 2% interbank rate will help economy rebound

(Newser) - Despite fears that inflationary forces are revving, the Federal Reserve will probably hold the interbank federal funds rate at 2% today, hoping the bargain basement rate can help kick-start a stalled economy that’s been hamstrung by a tenacious housing slump and a credit crunch hangover, Reuters reports.

In Turmoil,
Bernanke Forged
New Persona

ANALYSIS

May 28, 2008 10:50 AM CDT

In Turmoil, Bernanke Forged New Persona

Fed chief sheds academic image with crisis management; some worry he went too far

(Newser) - Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke’s aggressive actions in March to douse the fire consuming financial markets won him fans on Wall Street and elsewhere, but created a cadre of critics who say the “Bernanke Doctrine” fuels inflation and hurts the dollar, the New York Times reports. “It...

Stocks Rally; Dow Up Almost 200

MARKETS

May 1, 2008 3:24 PM CDT

Stocks Rally; Dow Up Almost 200

Fed's latest actions draw late but rave reviews

(Newser) - Stocks rallied today on strong performances by several big tech firms, MarketWatch reports. Investors also poured money into financials in anticipation of the dollar boost the Fed will cause by holding interest rates steady after yesterday’s cut. The Dow climbed 189.87 to at 13,010.00, the Nasdaq...