Fed & Macro
Federal Funds Rate
The Fed's benchmark overnight interest rate that anchors borrowing costs across the entire economy.
Also known as: Fed Funds Rate, Policy Rate
- What it is
- The federal funds rate is the target interest rate the FOMC sets for overnight lending between banks. It is the base rate that ripples into loans, mortgages, and yields economy-wide. The Fed steers it via open-market operations and administered rates.
- How it moves markets
- Changes in the funds rate reprice discount rates, hitting long-duration growth stocks hardest and reshaping bank margins. Rate cuts generally favor rate-sensitive and cyclical assets; hikes pressure them. Investors position sectors around the rate path.
- Track record
- Rate-hike cycles have compressed valuations on long-duration tech while aiding net-interest margins at banks.
- Who it affects
- Banks (XLF), rate-sensitive tech (XLK), real estate (XLRE), bonds (TLT).
- Related terms
- fomc, yield-curve, quantitative-tightening
- Common misread
- The market trades the expected path, not the current level; a hike can rally stocks if it is dovish versus expectations.
- Watch out for
- Second-order effects and forward guidance often matter more than the single move.
General information, not medical advice. Ingredient effects vary by formulation, concentration, and skin. Patch-test new actives and consult a qualified provider before starting prescription ingredients.
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