WASHINGTON — With consumers spending and employers hiring more freely, the U.S. economy has fared better of late. But when the Federal Reserve ends its latest policy meeting Wednesday, most analysts think it will signal that it wants to see further gains before raising interest rates again.
The Fed is expected to issue a statement that acknowledges the strengthening economy without providing much clarity about when the next rate hike might occur.
Still, some Fed-watchers say the wait may not be much longer. In the eight weeks between this week's meeting and the next in September, the Fed will see a flurry of fresh economic data, including two monthly jobs reports. If the new figures show sustained improvement, September might be when the Fed decides to resume the rate increases it began in December.
Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.