Newsletter Feb 17, 2022

3 things you must know

Federal Reserve favors accelerated interest rate hikes
Faced with stubbornly high inflation, US central bankers are considering an accelerated schedule for raising the benchmark borrowing rate, according to minutes of their latest meeting released Wednesday. Most of those participating in the Jan. 25-26 Federal Reserve discussions felt "a faster pace of increases... would likely be warranted." Most economists say that the lift-off from zero likely will be followed by several more hikes this year.
SEE WHAT THE FED PLANS TO DO WITH INTEREST RATES

Retail sales surge 3.8% in January despite Omicron, inflation
U.S. retail sales saw a big boost in January with sales rising 3.8% despite concerns that rising inflation would push down the numbers while the Omicron variant of COVID-19 would deter shopping. Despite the obstacles, retail sales data beat the Dow Jones estimates that expected a 2.1% gain in the retail sector.
FIND OUT WHY RETAIL SALES SURPASSED EXPECTATIONS

Wall Street looks to Walmart for key market indicators
As it turns out, good stock information can be found at the same place as most household items -- Walmart. When the retail giant reports today about how it fared in Q4, investors also will want to see how higher costs for labor, transportation and materials may affect the company's margins for a read of the overall economy.
FIND OUT HOW WALL STREET GETS TIPS FROM WALMART

Markets

DJIA	34,934.27	-0.16%
S&P 500	4,475.01	0.09%
Nasdaq Composite	14,124.09	-0.11%
Japan: Nikkei 225	27,337.14	-0.45%
UK: FTSE 100	7,603.78	-0.07%
Crude Oil Futures	91.14	-2.69%
Gold Futures	1,872.60	0.06%
Yen	115.38	-0.06%
Euro	1.14	0.06%
* As of market close

US, NATO say no signs of Russian pullback

The U.S. and NATO joined Ukraine on Wednesday in saying there are no signs of Russian troops withdrawing, contradicting reports that the crisis could be abating. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky watched soldiers training with new Western-supplied anti-tank weapons near Rivne as allies remained skeptical of a pullback of Russian forces.

SEE WHY THE US IS WARNING OF A FALSE FLAG OPERATION

CDC preparing to amend mask guidance

As several states nationwide are relaxing their mask mandates, the CDC is planning to update its guidelines. The proposed amendments to its indoor mask recommendations could be disclosed as early as next week. CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky went over guidelines Wednesday at a White House COVID Response Team briefing.

SEE WHAT CHANGES THE CDC IS CONSIDERING FOR MASKS

Disney-themed community in the works

Ever wish you could stay at a Disney park forever? Here's your chance after Disney announced Wednesday that it is creating residential housing for people who love the magic of its resorts so much that they literally want to live there. â€œStoryliving by Disneyâ€ will be the first ever fully Disney-themed housing community in Rancho Mirage, California.

FIND OUT HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO LIVE THE DISNEY LIFE

Hot ticket

What year did Disneyland open its gates to the public, and what now-famous person was first in line to buy a ticket to the grand opening?

Wednesday's answer: The 1983 "MASH" finale is TV's top-rated non-Super Bowl show in history, placing ninth overall with a 60.3 rating.

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