Fed Minutes Show Caution in Discussion on Rates

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve officials are struggling to get comfortable with the persistent sluggishness of price inflation as they move toward raising interest rates later this year.

Australia Central Bank Signals Unemployment Has Peaked, Pushes Back Growth Upswing

Australia’s central bank indicated the jobless rate has peaked as signs mount the economy is improving, even as it pushed back forecasts of a growth upswing by a year.

Federal Reserve Accidentally Leaks Secret Documents

WASHINGTON, July 24 (Reuters) - Staff economists at the Federal Reserve expect a quarter-point U.S. interest rate increase this year, according to forecasts the Fed mistakenly published on its website in a gaffe that drew criticism about its ability to keep secrets.

Paulsen: No clear sailing for markets after Greece

The world has largely focused on the debt crisis in Greece and China's stock crash, but interest rate moves in the United States and Germany are among the most fascinating developments in the market, James Paulsen, Wells Capital Management chief investment strategist, said Monday.

Central banks will continue to lift prices for years to come

Even after the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, central banks will continue to play an outsize role in bolstering equity and bond market returns, said Russ Koesterich, global chief investment strategist at BlackRock.

IMF's Lagarde sees 'new reality' of mediocre growth

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mediocre economic growth could become the "new reality," leaving millions stuck without jobs and increasing the risks to global financial stability, the head of the International Monetary Fund warned on Thursday.

In Republican Attacks on the Fed, Experts See a Shift

WASHINGTON — At a hearing in February, Representative Scott Garrett, a New Jersey Republican, complained that Congress and the Federal Reserve had traded places.

Janet Yellen says Federal Reserve flexible on rate rise

Janet Yellen has said the Federal Reserve can be flexible in deciding when to raise interest rates, which have been near zero since 2008.

U.S. jobless claims dip; 2014 layoffs lowest in 17 years

(Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week and job cuts declined sharply in December, suggesting the labor market is tightening.

Fed is creating risks to itself on credibility: Kocherlakota

(Reuters) - The Federal Reserve is risking its credibility by not acting aggressively enough to bring inflation back up to its 2 percent target quickly, a top U.S. central banker said on Tuesday.

U.S. consumer sentiment rises despite Ebola fears

(Reuters) - While the appearance of the deadly Ebola virus in Texas is worrying the nation, it has yet to lead Americans to take a more cautious view over how to spend their money, data suggested on Friday.

Dollar Gains Most Since January on U.S. Economic Growth

The dollar rose the most in six months versus a basket of peers after economic reports showed U.S. growth rebounded, boosting bets the Federal Reserve is on pace to raise interest rates next year.

Fed's Williams sees no rate hike until after mid-2015

(Reuters) - The Federal Reserve will probably need to keep interest rates near zero for at least another year, a top Fed official said on Monday, even as he expressed optimism the economy is well on its way to health.

U.S. consumer credit posts largest gain in a year

(Reuters) - U.S. consumer credit recorded its largest increase in a year in March, boosted by growing demand for student loans and household borrowing to buy automobiles.

Fed's Kocherlakota blasts new rate guidance

(Reuters) - The Federal Reserve should have promised to keep rates near zero until U.S. unemployment falls below 5.5 percent, as long as inflation and financial stability risks are contained, said the lone dissenter to the Fed's policy decision this week.

Fed may need to let inflation run hot to meet goals: Evans

(Reuters) - The Federal Reserve should be willing to let inflation temporarily run above its target level so as to more quickly bring the economy back to health, a top Fed official said on Friday, even as a second policymaker signaled the very idea left him cold.

G-20 Pushes Growth as Stimulus Withdrawal Backed, Draft Says

The Group of 20 will take “concrete actions” to bolster growth while backing the normalization of monetary policy in advanced economies, according to a draft communique seen by Bloomberg News.

Australia Pushes Infrastructure as G-20 Growth Driver: Economy

Australia’s bid to sell state-owned infrastructure to help fund new projects will form a centerpiece of its Group of 20 agenda as the nation bets its plan to spur jobs is as relevant in Moscow, Mumbai and Michigan as it is in Melbourne.

IMF Calls on Emerging Markets to Bolster Economic Fundamentals

The International Monetary Fund said some developing countries need to take action to “improve fundamentals” as emerging-market stocks extended their worst start to a year since 2008.

Davos Globalization Defenders Fight to Show 2014 Not 1914

Davos, the spiritual home of globalization, is having to defend its vision.