InfoAnda - Fed maintains low rates, upgrades view on US economy

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

French police question L'Oreal heiress | 27 July 2010
New fire at Bangladesh garment factory, day after deadly blaze | | 26 November 2012
US actor Dennis Hopper dead at 74: reports | 15 June 2010

UK PM Brown named GQ's worst-dressed man of year | 5 January 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Fed maintains low rates, upgrades view on US economy

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Photos Sitemap Fed maintains low rates, upgrades view on US economy AFP - Wednesday, March 17 Send IM Story Print The US Federal Reserve building in Washington, DC. The Federal Reserve on Tuesday maintained its near zero benchmark interest rate, saying it expects to hold the "exceptionally low" rate "for an extended period." WASHINGTON (AFP) - – The Federal Reserve has maintained record low interest rates but offered a modest upgrade to its view of the US economy still dogged by high unemployment and tight credit. After a one-day meeting Tuesday, the central bank's policy body voted 9-1 to keep the federal funds rate -- at which banks charge each other for loans -- at a zero to 0.25 percent range, a Fed statement said. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) expected to hold the "exceptionally low" rate "for an extended period" -- reiterating its standard guidance since it slashed rates to record lows in December 2008 in a bid to jolt the world's largest economy from its worst recession in decades. The central bank offered a slight upgrade to its view of the economy in the statement issued after the six-hour meeting chaired by Fed boss Ben Bernanke. Full Text:Federal Reserve statement It said "economic activity has continued to strengthen and that the labor market is stabilizing" -- a more upbeat description than the phrasing used after its last policy meeting in January that "the deterioration in the labor market is abating." The statement also noted that consumer spending was constrained by "high unemployment," rather than the previous "weak labor market," which some analysts said shifts the focus away from job growth to the unemployment level, hovering at nearly 10 percent. After not mentioning housing, the epicenter of the financial crisis that plunged the US economy into recession, in the last statement, the Fed lamented Tuesday that housing activity has been "flat at a depressed level." Analysts said that by keeping rates at ultralow levels, the cautious Fed was not prepared to take any chances of tinkering with monetary policy. It also gave no indication it would proceed with an monetary stimulus exit strategy. "The next key event is likely to occur when the Fed alters its 'extended period' language in favor of something less committal; we think this change is likely to be made in second quarter, and it may occur as soon as the April meeting if labor market data strengthen notably, as we expect," said Barclays Capital Research analyst Dean Maki. The Fed also stressed that the pace of economic recovery was likely to be "moderate" for sometime. It said American households remained reluctant to spend amid high unemployment, modest income growth, lower housing wealth, and tight credit. Employers also remained reluctant to add to payrolls and bank lending continued to contract, the Fed reported. Kansas City Fed president Thomas Hoenig was, for the second meeting in a row, the sole dissenting voice to the FOMC decision. He expressed concern that the promise of low interest rates for the long-run could present economic risks. "However, the majority of the FOMC would agree with us that removing this phrase now would lead to an unwarranted rise in interest rates across the yield curve," said Brian Bethune, financial economist for IHS Global Insight. The yield curve is what economists use to capture the overall movement of interest rates on the bond market. "Credit, housing and employment markets are still too weak to be able to withstand this kind of negative pressure, and we agree with the majority of the FOMC on this score," Bethune said. US authorities pumped hundreds of billions of dollars into the world's largest economy to jolt it from a deep recession since December 2007. The economy started growing from the second half of last year -- at 2.2 percent in the third quarter and 5.9 percent in the final quarter of 2009. Many believe the Fed will need to raise rates gradually to keep inflation in check. "We do not consider any risk of changes in the direction of the Feds monetary policy, as economic slack is likely to hamper the inflation pressures for some more time," said analyst Inna Mufteeva of Natixis. The Fed policy makers also confirmed at the meeting Tuesday that the central bank will complete purchases of 1.25 trillion dollars of mortgage-backed securities by the end of this month. The program has been widely credited with pumping up the housing market, which was at the epicenter of the financial crisis triggered by a mortgage meltdown. Recommend Send IM Story Print News Search Top Stories EU criticises 'optimistic' national budgets Fed maintains low rates, upgrades view on US economy British ads banned over climate change claims Post-heart attack fatalities higher in women than men: study US 'winning battles but still fighting war on cancer' More Top Stories » Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Kate Winslet and director husband Mendes split Shell says will slash another 1,000 jobs by 2011 Post-heart attack fatalities higher in women than men: study Fed maintains low rates, upgrades view on US economy US 'winning battles but still fighting war on cancer' More Most Viewed » Chile quake moved Earth's axis, shortened days: scientist Experts confirm asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs 'Britain's Fritzl' raped daughters for over 25yrs Florida killer whale to stay in park after deadly attack Researchers back cancer-fighting properties of papaya More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Riots rock Jerusalem as Hamas calls for new 'intifada'
Greece failed to arrest Georgian mafia head: prosecutor
Palestinians and Israeli police clash in Jerusalem
Tech startup City Sourced zaps gripes to city halls
U.S. affirms bond with Israel as Palestinians riot |
'Abuse hotline' at German Catholic Church
FCC backs broadband plan statement
US 'winning battles but still fighting war on cancer'
Iraq PM's bloc set to be biggest nationally: latest results
Protests greet Mexico's Calderon after U.S. killings |
Nearly one-third of Danes use Facebook at work: poll
Technology helps Liberia turn the page on 'blood timber'
Secularist gains on PM as Iraq counts more votes
Michael Jackson Estate Inks Record Deal With Sony For New Jackson Albums
Suspicion over Murdoch's pan-Arab foray in Egypt
Eight dead, 11 wounded in Iraq bomb attacks
Russian prosecutors say priest's killer slain |
Vatican sees bid to tarnish Church amid abuse row |
Hip websites need hard facts to thrive
Allawi leads Maliki for first time in Iraq count |
U.N. chief chides Israel for confidentiality breach |
Egypt regulator enforces Internet voice call ban
WITNESS: Student ID card brings home loss from Haiti's quake |
Schools accused in Google hacking case ask "why us?"
Thai demonstrators in symbolic blood protest
Obama discusses Afghan war with Karzai in video call
Tuna ban: EU squabbling, China opposed
Mexican Tour Bus Crash South Of San Antonio, Texas Kills Two, Injures 18
Burglar Belted By Black Belt
Myanmar a gateway for wildlife trade to China: report
Antarctic Discovery Could Challenge Survival Theories
Thai protesters pour own blood at government HQ
Fed To Keep Rates Low For Extended Period
Michael Jackson Estate Inks Record Deal With Sony For New Jackson Albums
Malaysia's Anwar drops bid to disqualify sodomy trial judge
Sony in new music deal with Michael Jackson estate
Google Nexus One sales lag Apple, Motorola: Flurry |
Jagermeister Music Tour Taps Korn As Headliners
Taiwan needs China trade pact to survive: president
Honda Recalling 412,000 Vehicles
Afghan president to visit China next week
Intel unveils new server chips ahead of AMD |
Casino Cheating Ring Leader Sentenced
China more concerned about Iran, wary on sanctions
Man Texts Friend; Friend Robs Man
Somali pirates free vessel with N.Korean crew
U.S. Housing Starts Slip In February, Building Permits Down
Japan: China backing effort to block tuna ban
Sony in new music deal with Michael Jackson estate
Renault-Nissan to launch small car Micra in India in July
Indian film industry hit by losses in 2009: study
S.Korea president names new central bank chief
Ireland greens up for St. Patrick's Day revelry
NY restaurants to get review -- for hygiene
Fox sets Earth Day release of Avatar on DVD |
Coca-Cola to build Malaysian bottling plant
Comedian's run getting no laughs from Peru politicians
China dismisses US lawmakers on currency
Bordeaux vintners look to Asia to drain cellars
NYS film tax credit key economic driver: comptroller |
French chef Pierre Gagnaire returns to Tokyo with new eatery
In South Africa, ardent fans are 'the 13th player'
Burglar Belted By Black Belt
Man Texts Friend; Friend Robs Man
NYS film tax credit key economic driver: comptroller
Protesters Splash Blood At Thai Government House
U.S. affirms bond with Israel as Palestinians riot
Allawi leads Maliki for first time in Iraq count |
Clinton pledges "unshakeable" bond with Israel
French policeman killed in suspected ETA attack
British ads banned over climate change claims
US-TECH Summary
Under-fire pope urges youth to follow 'the call'
Dotcom celebrates 25th birthday
Thai red shirts take protest to PM's home |
Google Nexus One sales lag Apple, Motorola: Flurry
U.N. council wants probe of Somalia aid diversion |
Thriller writer John Grisham ends holdout on e-books
Russian prosecutors say priest's killer slain |
Yemen Shi'ite rebels free 178 soldiers, civilians |
Google Nexus One sales lag Apple, Motorola: Flurry
Section Of U.S. Highway 129 Popular With Motorcyclists In Eastern Tennessee Closed By Rock Slide Remains Closed
Thriller writer John Grisham ends holdout on e-books |
Mariah Carey Pens And Appears On New School Gyrls Single
Google partners call for clarity on China plans |
U.S. Markets Gain On Fed Comments, Set New Yearly High
Post-heart attack fatalities higher in women than men: study
Police reforms launched in scandal-hit China city
911 tape released in actor Corey Haim's death |
Thai protesters hurl own blood at PM's house
Seoul shares rise 2 pct; Korea Life rallies
Rapper DMX sentenced to six months in Arizona jail |
Colorado School Laying Off 185 Workers In July
Sri Lanka's ex-army chief returns to court
Mexican Lawmakers Blame U.S. For Consulate Worker Murders
Precious director hires Brit to play MLK |
China zoo shut amid tiger parts harvest allegation
Bank of Japan frees up cash, keeps rate near zero
World Bank raises China growth forecast to 9.5 pct
Women climbers in Nepal on world record chase
Gazans find glimmer of luxury in thriving gold bazaar
Jailed Tibetans go on hunger strike in Nepal
"Precious" director hires Brit to play MLK
Women prefer hunks, but don't trust them:Study
In sushi bars, tuna vanishes bite by bite
China investigating child lead poisoning cases
Tom Selleck eyes CBS cop drama pilot
Film goes behind the scenes of Saturday Night Live
Officials: 2 US missile attacks kill 9 in Pakistan
British ads banned over climate change claims
China says still wants military talks with Taiwan
Rapper DMX sentenced to six months in Arizona jail
Thai "red shirts" take protest to PM's home
AOL launches Seed.com for Internet Age news operation
Afghanistan bus crash 'kills 35'
Spanish PM blames ETA for death of French policeman
China envoy urges Iran to compromise, wary on sanctions |
Burqa-clad suicide bombers killed in Afghan town
Facebook beats Google in US for first time: tracker
Bus crash in northern Afghanistan 'kills 35'
Israel moves to ease diplomatic dispute with U.S. |
Fed maintains low rates, upgrades view on US economy
Mobile 'apps' a $17.5 bln market by 2012: study
Burqa suicide bombers killed in Afghan town: govt
Drive a Porsche? Up your status with a phone
Montenegro says has given Thaksin citizenship |
International Conference Set March 31 On Haiti's Long-Term Needs
Merkel demands truth and clarity on abuse scandal |
NY Democrat Fails Bid To Regain State Senate Seat After Expulsion
Turkey PM says could deport up to 100,000 Armenians |
Statistics Show Rise In Sexual Assault Cases Among Troops
VH1 To Premiere 4 New Reality Series In April
French police hunt ETA suspects after officer killed |
Red River Expected To Overflow In Fargo
First Lady Calls On Food Companies To Sell More Healthy Products
Massachusetts Dentist Accused Of Using Paper Clips During Root Canals
Five Americans charged with terrorism in Pakistan |
Methamphetamines May Be Worse For Developing Babies Than Alcohol
Dozens killed in bus accident in Afghan mountains
New York City Restaurants Must Display Health Department Grades
Showtime To Exclusively Air More Than 30 DreamWorks Releases
US strikes kill seven in NW Pakistan: officials
Mexico calls on US to share drug war responsibility
Clinton to call Netanyahu in bid to ease tensions
Bin Laden will never face US trial, be caught alive: Holder
Machete attack on Nigeria village kills at least 13 |
Thai protesters hurl own blood at PM's house
US suspect to plead guilty in Mumbai bombings: court
Fiji cyclone damage overwhelming, leader says
Some U.S. air travellers complain about body scans
Indonesia seeks 10 years for terror suspect
Officials: 2 US missile attacks kill 9 in Pakistan
Indians try to clean filth from river in New Delhi
North Korea has 1,000 missiles, South says
Rio Tinto staff face trial in China on Monday
Sri Lanka postpones court-martial against Fonseka
Malaysian indigenous tribes protest land changes
PayPal plans to double staff in Asia
Pakistan's Shaikh lead contender for econ adviser
S.Korea rate rise only in last phase-c.bank official
Fed's rate decision boosts Asian markets
Taiwan to use Africa as back door for carbon credits
Google partners in China appeal for word on plans
Pakistani o/n rates; stocks down; rupee firms
Aga Khan's Islamic wonders on show in Germany
Chinese ad firms seek Google compensation talks
Jordan eyes bigger pie of Dead Sea cosmetics market
NEWSMAKER-Shin shuns limelight as Korea Life goes public
Sri Lanka hotels dress up for post-war rush
S.Korea calls for coordination on capital flows
Czech pot smokers exhale with relief over new drug law
Drive a Porsche? Up your status with a phone |
Inquest blames Afghans over refugee boat blast
Australia shows its earliest surviving film
Bus-truck collision kills 10 in Indonesia
Philippine hero Pacquiao faces tough political fight
Poland's tiny Muslim Tatar community taps deep roots
Sudan's capital sways to hip hop
Oprah defamation case can go to trial |
Black Eyed Peas, Shakira to front World Cup concert |
Black Eyed Peas, Shakira to front World Cup concert |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01