ARN News Centre

US Fed raises key interest rate

Thursday, 15 December 2016 10:33

The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by 0.25 per cent on Wednesday. It's the s the first hike since December 2015, and the second rate hike in 10 years. Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to increase the key federal funds rate to a range of 0.5 per cent and 0.75 per cent, citing an improving economy. Fed chair Janet Yellen said, "Economic growth has picked up since the middle of the year," adding, "We expect the economy will continue to perform well."

US correspondent Nick Harper reports

More from Business

New US tariffs to affect imports from EU, China and dozens of other countries

The United States is introducing new tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, including the European Union, China, Japan and South Korea, in a move that could reshape global trade flows and supply chains.
US-India trade deal could be signed in 3-4 months, US official says

A long-awaited US-India trade agreement could be signed within the next three to four months, a senior US official said on Wednesday, indicating negotiations between the two sides have been virtually completed.
Google hit with $1 billion EU fine, Trump calls punishment 'illegal'

Alphabet's GOOGL.O Google was fined a total of €890 million ($1 billion) on Thursday for flouting European Union rules aimed at reining in the power of Big Tech, the European Commission said.
Trump announces 50% tariffs on wide range of Canadian imports

US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping new tariffs of up to 50 per cent on a broad range of Canadian imports, opening a new front in the trade dispute between the neighbouring countries.
Fitch assigns Invest Bank long-term credit rating of 'BBB+'

Fitch Ratings has assigned Invest Bank (INB) its first long-term credit rating of BBB+ with a stable outlook, marking the institution’s strong financial profile and positioning the bank for sustainable long-term growth.