Economic Indicators

The federal funds rate is the interest rate at which banks lend to each other overnight to maintain reserve balances. It's a critical tool for U.S. monetary policy, influencing borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, economic growth, and inflation. Changes in the federal funds rate affect everything from loan interest rates to stock market performance, making it a key indicator of economic health.

The CPI measures the average change in prices for a typical basket of goods. It's key for tracking inflation, affecting interest rates, wages, and business decisions. Rising CPI indicates inflation, impacting purchasing power and the overall economy.

The GDP measures a country's economic performance, representing the total value of all goods and services produced within a specific period. It's a key indicator of economic health, used to compare the economic output of different nations and track growth or decline over time.

The unemployment rate measures the jobless percentage in the labor force, impacting spending and growth. Low unemployment boosts wages and activity, while high unemployment slows them. The inflation rate tracks price increases, with moderate inflation (~2%) being healthy. These rates are often inversely related and crucial for economic stability, influencing spending, savings, and investment.

Treasury rates are the interest rates that the US government pays on its debt obligations, and they are a key benchmark for interest rates across the economy.