Tag: interest-rates
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Weak U.S. retail sales, inflation data dim prospect of Fed rate hike
By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. retail sales were unexpectedly flat in July as Americans cut back on discretionary spending, pointing to a moderation in consumption that could temper expectations of a sharp pickup in economic growth in the third quarter. Cooling consumer spending and tame inflation suggest the Federal Reserve will probably not…
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Yellen says Fed rate hike likely appropriate in coming months
The Federal Reserve should raise interest rates “in the coming months” if the economy picks up as expected and jobs continue to be generated, U.S. central bank chief Janet Yellen said on Friday, bolstering the case for a rate increase in June or July. “It's appropriate … for the Fed to gradually and cautiously increase…