archiveREP

The exterior of the Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building is seen in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 14, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Federal Reserve officials were divided over the need for more interest rate hikes at the U.S. central bank's July 25-26 meeting, with "some participants" citing the risks to the economy of pushing rates too far even as "most" policymakers continued to prioritize the battle against inflation, according to minutes of the session that were released on Wednesday."Participants remained resolute in their...

Chinese Yuan and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 10, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationWASHINGTON/LONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - The dollar index was lower after data showed U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in July, while the yuan sank to a nine-month trough on Tuesday after China's central bank unexpectedly cut key policy rates.U.S. retail sales jumped 0.7% last month, the Commerce Department said, demonstrating that demand has remained resilient despite the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes to tame inflation, thanks to strong wage gains from...

ORLANDO, Florida, Aug 14 (Reuters) - In five years' time the U.S. government's annual interest bill on its debt is projected to reach $1 trillion, or 3% of GDP - impending fiscal catastrophe, as the first figure might imply, or manageable burden, as the second one indicates?U.S. debt sustainability is back in the spotlight after Fitch downgraded the U.S. credit rating this month. High interest rates and bond yields are increasing the amount Washington must pay to service the federal debt, which neither economic growth nor inflation look like sufficiently...