London (CNN Business) When the Federal Reserve started hiking interest rates to combat decades-high inflation, Chair Jerome Powell stressed that the central bank could increase borrowing costs without inflicting too much damage on the economy. Breaking it down: The central bank didn't go as hard as some investors thought it might. The Fed's main interest rate is now set between 3% and 3.25%. Plus, many factors pushing up inflation numbers — such as the war in Ukraine and drought conditions — are outside the central bank's control. Central banks have "no choice" but to increase interest rates in an effort to combat inflation, she added.

Source: CNN September 23, 2022 01:03 UTC