Economic News

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones) -- The fed funds futures market now suggests it is unlikely that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in August and indicates that there will only be one more rate hike this year. But after two days of Fed-speak, economists are all over the map, with some seeing the Fed pushing rates as high as 6%, while others argue the Fed has already finished with the tighteni ...

Treasury prices closed lower Friday, pushing yields above their recent lows, as investors took a break from a recent rally sparked by varied events that led many to conclude that the Federal Reserve may be on the verge of halting in its rate tightening program. The benchmark 10-year Treasury note closed down 3/32 at 100 20/32 with a yield (TNX) of 5.044%, up from 5.026% at Thursday's close. Bon ...

Treasury prices turned lower in early afternoon trade Friday, pushing yields above their session lows, as investors squared positions ahead of the weekend. Earlier prices rose, putting pressure on yields, after a variety of recent events led investors to conclude that the Federal Reserve may be on the verge of halting in its rate tightening program. The benchmark 10-year Treasury note last w ...

The dollar fell to one-week lows versus the euro and yen Friday on growing expectations the interest rate differentials between the U.S. and other economies will narrow soon. At the same time, the yen moved sharply higher after the People's Bank of China raised the reserve requirement ratio for the second time in the past two months in an attempt to rein in the nation's runaway credit growth.  ...

Treasury prices traded higher early Friday, putting pressure on yields, as the market basked in the afterglow of events earlier in the week that led many investors to conclude that the Federal Reserve may be near the verge of halting its program of tightening U.S. interest rates. The benchmark 10-year Treasury note last was 5/32 higher at 100 28/32 with a yield (TNX) of 5.011%, down from 5.026% ...

By Ross Finley and Fiona Shaikh LONDON (Reuters) - The economy grew at its fastest rate in two years in the second quarter of this year driven by buoyant retailing, official data showed on Friday, supporting expectations for a near-term interest rate hike. The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product rose by 0.8 percent in the April-June period according to its preliminary estimate, topping forecasts for 0.7 percent, also the rate in the first quarter. The annual rate picked ...

LONDON (Dow Jones) -- The British economy accelerated during the second quarter as the country benefited from a shift to services and away from manufacturing. The U.K. economy accelerated in the second quarter, rising 0.8% from the first quarter after 0.7% growth in the first quarter, the National Statistics Office said Friday in a first look at the statistics. The GDP figures came in 0.1% a ...

This is Money21 July 2006 FEARS of a rise in interest rates were heightened today by figures indicating that the UK economy grew by more than expected between April and June. WANT TO KNOW MORE? Inflation jump sparks rate fears Interest rates stay on hold OTHER STORIES Airline complaints soar 50% Google at the double with £390m Market report: Friday 10.00 Elderly fear BT free-f ...

LONDON (Reuters) - The economy grew at its fastest rate in two years in the second quarter of 2006, driven by buoyant retailing, official data showed on Friday, supporting expectations for a near-term interest rate hike. The Office for National Statistics said GDP rose by 0.8 percent in the April-June period, topping analysts' forecasts for 0.7 percent growth, which was also the rate for the first quarter of the year. Interest rate futures showed little reaction to the data, as markets have al ...

Treasurys closed higher Thursday, putting pressure on yields, after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for a second day in a row made soothing comments to lawmakers about inflation, inspiring hopes for a speedy end to rate hikes. The benchmark 10-year Treasury note closed up 7/32 at 100 24/32 with a yield ( TNX) of 5.026%, down from 5.056% at Wednesday's close. Prices and yields move in oppo ...