• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

RPT-Fed slashes rates by half point in global ease

Wed Oct 8, 2008 7:17am EDT

(Repeats to additional customers)

Bonds  |  Global Markets

NEW YORK, Oct 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a half percentage point to 1.5 percent on Wednesday, joining other central banks in a coordinated effort to soothe ailing financial markets.

Stock markets around the world continued to fall overnight, raising fears that an apparently intractable credit crisis could be getting worse. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke had already hinted at a rate cut in a speech on Tuesday.

"The recent intensification of the financial crisis has augmented the downside risks to growth," the Fed said in a statement. (Reporting by Pedro Nicolaci da Costa; Editing by Kenneth Barry)



More from Reuters

Joint Terminal Attack Controller SSgt Clinton J. Herbison, a U.S. Airman from the 817 Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron (EASOS) takes a break during a night mission near Honaker Miracle camp at the Pesh valley of Kunar Province August 12, 2009. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Pictures of the Year

A look at the best photos of 2009.  Slideshow 

    The Dalai Lama jokes with a nasal spray after being asked his opinion on the swine flu during a press conference after his first lecture in Lausanne, Switzerland, August 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Valentin Flauraud

    What a wacky year it's been...

    Um, what's up the Dalai Lama's nose? "Oddly Enough" editor Bob Basler rounds up the goofiest photos of the year.  Full Article 

    A caution sign is seen next to a stock board at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney September 5, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz
    Political Risk in 2010:

    Don't say we didn't warn you

    With the financial crisis (mostly) in the past, U.S. investors are eying a fresh start to the coming year. Here's a look at what speedbumps lie ahead.  Full Article