Money

U.S. Fed Reserve hikes interest rates by 25 basis points

Published

3 years ago

February 2, 2023

The U.S. Federal Reserve has announced its latest interest rate hike

The 25 basis-point increase comes after a half-point hike in December, and a three-quarter-point increase the month before that.

And it came with the forecast that the Fed isn’t finished.

“We will need substantially more evidence to be confident that inflation is on a sustained downward path,” U.S. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in a press conference.

Powell noted positive signs that inflation was beginning to abate.

“We can now say I think for the first time that the disinflationary process has started, and we see it in goods prices, so far…but it is insufficient to signal an end to the rate hikes, though it would be stepping down from last year’s rapid pace of increases.”

Future rate increases would be in quarter-percentage-point increments.

“We will continue to make our decisions meeting by meeting, taking into account the totality of incoming data and their implications for the outlook for economic activity and inflation,” Powell added.

The decision lifted the benchmark overnight interest rate to a range between 4.50% and 4.75% – a move widely anticipated by investors and flagged by U.S. central bankers ahead of this week’s two-day policy session.

Inflation, based on the Fed’s preferred measure, slowed to a 5% annual rate in December.

The Fed hopes it can continue nudging inflation lower to its 2% target without triggering a deep recession or causing a substantial rise in the unemployment rate from the current 3.5%, a level rarely seen in recent decades.

Money

Why most Australians aren’t ready for retirement

Australians’ retirement readiness declines as super fund trust wanes; expert shares insights and solutions for financial confidence.

Published

3 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Ahron Young

Australians’ retirement readiness declines as super fund trust wanes; expert shares insights and solutions for financial confidence.

Fewer than one in three Australians feel financially prepared for retirement, with trust in super funds falling and planning gaps widening. In this episode, Dale Gilham from Wealth Within explains why the nation is struggling with financial confidence.

We cover the most common mistakes retirees say they’ve made, how super fund distrust is reshaping decisions, and what role financial planning plays in boosting readiness.

Gilham also outlines the tools and resources Australians are seeking most as they look to secure their financial future. Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#Retirement #Superannuation #Finance #Australia #WealthPlanning #MoneyMatters #FinancialFreedom #TickerNews

Money

The fine line between smart investing and risky gambling

Dr. Enticott explains the psychology of risk in investing and offers strategies for safe wealth building. #Investing #Finance #MoneyTips

Published

3 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Ahron Young

Dr. Enticott explains the psychology of risk in investing and offers strategies for safe wealth building. #Investing #Finance #MoneyTips

The difference between a high-risk gamble and a calculated move often comes down to understanding the odds — and respecting them. In this interview, Dr. Steve Enticott from CIA Tax breaks down the psychology behind risky bets.

We discuss how hype-driven investments like meme coins can lure in latecomers, why gambling is statistically designed against the player, and how leverage without a safety net can quickly spiral into financial disaster.

Dr. Enticott also shares practical advice for long-term strategies that focus on building wealth safely, rather than chasing get-rich-quick schemes. Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

Hashtags:
#Investing #Gambling #WealthBuilding #Crypto #Finance #MoneyTips #RiskManagement #TickerNews

Money

Bitcoin rises as a safe asset during shutdown

Bitcoin reaches near all-time high as investors seek safe havens amid US government shutdown

Published

5 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Ahron Young

Bitcoin reaches near all-time high as investors seek safe havens amid US government shutdown

In Short:
– Bitcoin nears all-time high amid U.S. government shutdown, trading at $123,685.87 on October 3rd.
– In South Korea, Bitcoin surpassed 170 million KRW, reaching 170.96 million KRW on October 3rd.

Bitcoin has reached near its all-time high during the U.S. government shutdown, establishing itself as a safe asset.

On October 3rd, at the U.S. cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, Bitcoin traded at $123,685.87, closely approaching the record high of $124,290 set in August. This marks a 1.89% increase in just 24 hours and the first time in two months that Bitcoin has surpassed $123,000.In South Korea, Bitcoin’s value also surged, surpassing 170 million KRW for the first time on the night of October 2nd.

The price climbed to 170.96 million KRW at Bithumb on October 3rd, breaking the previous record of 169.90 million KRW from August 14th.

The surge in Bitcoin’s price is driven by increased interest in safe-haven assets amid the government shutdown. Since October 1st, 750,000 federal employees have been placed on unpaid leave, leading investors to consider alternative assets.

Jeff Kendrick of Standard Chartered remarked that the current market situation differs from the 2018-2019 shutdown, as Bitcoin now closely correlates with U.S. government risk.

Bitcoin’s Future

Forecasts suggest Bitcoin’s upward momentum will persist. Standard Chartered predicts Bitcoin could break its all-time high and reach $135,000. JP Morgan analysts foresee a potential rise to $165,000 by year-end.

Historically, October has been a bullish month for Bitcoin, coining the term ‘Uptober’ due to average returns of 20.63% over the last decade. Ethereum is also on the rise, trading around $4,500, contributing to a larger $4.12 trillion cryptocurrency market.