Friday, August 22, 2014

Economic Journal - Friday, 8/22/2014



(As of 7:20 am PST)

It’s all about the Fed today.  With little economic data to report on, investors will be keying in on Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen’s speech at the annual Fed meeting in Jackson Hole.  After Wednesday’s release of some rather ‘hawkish’ FOMC meeting minutes, investors are anxious to hear what Yellen says about the Fed’s plan to raise interest rates.  At 10 am EST Yellen hit the mic, and right off the bat indicated that the economy is getting closer to the Fed’s main objectives.  She emphasized the debate is shifting to when the Fed will raise rates, reminding the market that the rise could come sooner than later.  Stocks began the day lower in anticipation of Yellen’s speech, but are now see-sawing near the unchanged line.  International markets are mixed with Asian stocks finishing the week on a positive note while European stocks were hit on renewed tensions between Russia and Ukraine.  The market has had a great run this week and looks to finish the week with solid gains. 

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