These Economic Reports Will Determine When the Fed Will Raise Rates
Janet Yellen, chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, looks on at the start of her semiannual report on the economy to the Senate Banking Committee in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, July 16, 2015.
Photographer: Drew AngererThe Federal Open Market Committee made only tiny changes to their July policy statement, released Wednesday in Washington -- notably, policy makers didn't offer clear hints of whether or not they'll raise the main interest rate at their Sept. 16-17 meeting.
That fits with their mantra of data-dependence: They say they'll increase their target rate, known as the federal funds rate, when the economy gives signs that it's ready. It also means Federal Reserve-watchers must hone in on key reports to catch the signals that today's release didn't offer. Here are the crucial data points.