US Fed raises key interest rate amid stronger growth outlook

News Image

MG News | March 21, 2018 at 11:40 PM GMT+05:00

Washington, March 21 (AFP/APP):The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised the key lending rate for the first time this year, citing a stronger outlook for economic growth, and hinted at a slightly more aggressive pace for hikes both this year and in 2019.

Newly-installed Fed Chairman Jerome Powell presided over his first meeting which raised the federal funds rate to 1.5-1.75 percent.

In its quarterly forecasts, Fed officials project the benchmark interest rate will end this year at 2.1 percent after two more hikes, unchanged from the December forecast, but will rise to 2.9 percent at the close of 2019, signalling three possible hikes.

Related News

Name Price/Vol %Chg/NChg
KSE100 173,962.82
313.69M
1.30%
2237.52
ALLSHR 104,178.62
550.40M
0.93%
964.13
KSE30 52,166.33
164.58M
1.26%
649.19
KMI30 250,496.48
141.11M
1.59%
3930.77
KMIALLSHR 67,844.06
318.73M
1.20%
801.29
BKTi 47,430.11
44.68M
0.28%
130.40
OGTi 36,386.96
9.01M
0.13%
45.59
Symbol Bid/Ask High/Low
Name Last High/Low Chg/%Chg
BITCOIN FUTURES 73,860.00 0.00
0.00
145.00
0.20%
BRENT CRUDE 91.89 92.95
89.93
-0.81
-0.87%
RICHARDS BAY COAL MONTHLY 110.00 0.00
0.00
-7.90
-6.70%
ROTTERDAM COAL MONTHLY 112.85 0.00
0.00
-0.05
-0.04%
USD RBD PALM OLEIN 1,157.50 1,157.50
1,157.50
0.00
0.00%
CRUDE OIL - WTI 87.76 89.02
86.35
-1.14
-1.28%
SUGAR #11 WORLD 14.07 14.35
13.90
0.14
1.01%

Chart of the Day


Latest News
May 29, 2026 at 09:44 PM GMT+05:00

SBP reserves rise $66m to $17.15bn


May 29, 2026 at 08:19 PM GMT+05:00

Petrol, HSD prices drop Rs22 per litre


May 29, 2026 at 07:19 PM GMT+05:00

Sindh, World Bank review Karachi water network


May 29, 2026 at 05:06 PM GMT+05:00

PSX Closing Bell: Bulls Come Out Swinging


May 29, 2026 at 04:41 PM GMT+05:00

RLNG imports hit by May disruptions, prices jump 42%



Top 5 things to watch in this week

Pakistan Stock Movers
Name Last Chg/%Chg
Name Last Chg/%Chg