Fed hikes rates by 0.75 percentage point, biggest increase since 1994
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The Federal Reserve approved the largest hike to its benchmark interest rate since 1994 on Wednesday as officials frantically seek to tamp down the decades-high inflation hitting household budgets.
The rate-making Federal Open Market Committee announced the hike of 0.75%, or 75 basis points, at the conclusion of its two-day meeting. The hike moved the benchmark short-term rate to a range of 1.5% to 1.75%.
The hike was in line with revised expectations after last week’s release of the Consumer Price Index for May. The federal data showed inflation accelerated to a higher-than-expected 8.6% last month, the sharpest rate since December 1981.
“Inflation remains elevated, reflecting supply and demand imbalances related to the pandemic, higher energy prices, and broader price pressures,” the FOMC said in a statement.
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