NewsNASDAQ Stock Market, Nasdaq Composite, Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve interest rate, Lael Brainard, world economy, US economy
Jun 03, 2015 09:30 AM EDT
Stocks rose ahead of the big reports coming in this week. Shortly after the rise, experts say the Feds may be forced to increase rates while Brainard opposes the idea due to the global slowdown's effects in the country.
June 1, Monday's stocks had a Nasdaq Composite increase of 0.3% while Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed up to 0.2% as reported by Nasdaq. Investors are up for an insightful series of data including US factory orders, trade deficit and May's jobs report in the country. Monday's report revealed the lowest increase since Q4 of 2009 in the price index, 0.1% for the month of April. The price index gauges the inflation rate as per the Federal Reserve.
CNBC reported that there's a possible interest rate hike due to inflation and low unemployment rate. The Labor Department reported a 5.4% unemployment rate, the lowest in the past 7 years. Last week, the US government announced a 0.7% annualized rate. The combination leaves the Feds wary of settling on a zero interest rate. Other experts agree that it's a good time for an increased Federal Reserve interest rate considering a steady growth in the labor market, improved wages and housing market. On the other hand, the world economy could be the biggest hurdle in raising the US interest rates.
According to Fed board member Lael Brainard the global slowdown could impede rate increase contrary to other members' opinions. According to a Reuters report, Brainard says the Greek default, China's slowdown and chronic problems in Europe may endure and a careful observation in the economy is essential before raising the rates. She added that a strong US currency against weak overseas demand were deterring the country's recovery and delaying the Fed's plans on implementing a more standard monetary policy.
The US could be on its way to recovery with several financial experts suggesting that an increased interest rate is appropriate. However, a few keen observers render the improvement as temporary and consider the global economy as a factor in the country's economic future.