What is the relationship between inflation and interest rates? | INVESTOPEDIA | April 4, 2017

Joe Leandri
Jul 24, 2017 · 2 min read

In general, as interest rates are lowered, more people are able to borrow more money. The result is that consumers have more money to spend, causing the economy to grow and inflation to increase. The opposite holds true for rising interest rates. As interest rates are increased, consumers tend to save as returns from savings are higher. With less disposable income to spend as a result of the increase in savings, the economy slows and inflation decreases.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets eight times each year to review economic and financial conditions and decide on monetary policy. Monetary policy refers to the actions taken that affect the availability and cost of money and credit. At these meetings, short-term interest rate targets are determined. Using economic indicators such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Producer Price Indexes (PPI), the Fed will establish interest rate targets intended to keep the economy in balance. By moving interest rate targets up or down, the Fed attempts to achieve target employment rates, stable prices, and stable economic growth. The Fed will raise interest rates to reduce inflation and ease (or decrease) rates to spur economic growth.

Investors and traders keep a close eye on the FOMC rate decisions. After each of the eight FOMC meetings, an announcement is made regarding the Fed’s decision to increase, decrease or maintain key interest rates. Certain markets may move in advance of the anticipated interest rate changes and in response to the actual announcements. For example, the U.S. dollar typically rallies in response to an interest rate increase, while the bond market falls in reaction to rate hikes.

Read more: What is the relationship between inflation and interest rates? http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/12/inflation-interest-rate-relationship.asp#ixzz4nidYuO44
Follow us: Investopedia on Facebook

url: http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/12/inflation-interest-rate-relationship.asp?utm_source=personalized&utm_campaign=dynamicyield&utm_term=10144920&utm_medium=email

Joe Leandri

Written by

Independent Market Research Professional

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade