U.S. stocks fall after Fed raises rates, signals more hikes ahead

New York [US], December 15: Wall Street's major averages declined on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the seventh time this year and signaled more hikes to come next year.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 142.29 points, or 0.42 percent, to 33,966.35. The S&P 500 fell 24.33 points, or 0.61 percent, to 3,995.32. The Nasdaq Composite Index dipped 85.93 points, or 0.76 percent, to 11,170.89.
Ten of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with financials and materials down 1.29 percent and 1.11 percent, respectively, leading the laggards. Health care rose 0.14 percent, the lone gaining group.
The Fed on Wednesday raised interest rates by 50 basis points, after announcing four straight 75 basis point hikes at its most recent meetings, in an effort to quell inflation.
"The committee anticipates that ongoing increases in the target range will be appropriate in order to attain a stance of monetary policy that is sufficiently restrictive to return inflation to 2 percent over time," the Federal Open Market Committee said in a statement after concluding a two-day policy meeting.
The latest increase boosted the target range for the federal funds rate to 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent, its highest level in 15 years.
Its updated economic projections published Wednesday showed that the central bank now sees its benchmark rates rising to a median level of 5.1 percent in 2023, above the 4.6 percent forecast back in September, suggesting a target range of 5 percent to 5.25 percent, or roughly another 75 basis point rate hikes ahead.
The new projections also showed that Fed officials expect slower growth and higher unemployment for next year and 2024. Endtiem
Source: Xinhua