Hiking interest rates and using language suggesting a lot more hikes in the future could send markets plunging. But suggestions the Fed could significantly pare back its efforts to hike rates could serve to confirm fears that the economy is stumbling. (Carlos Barria/Reuters/File)In September, the Fed projected it would raise interest rates this month and then three more times in 2019. Today Wall Street traders are barely pricing in one interest rate hike next year, a dramatically more pessimistic outlook. If the central bank raises interest rates too quickly in 2019, it will dry up business and consumer spending.

Source: Washington Post December 19, 2018 13:51 UTC