http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/monetary/20121212a.htm
This excerpt explains their current timeline and parameters relative to the continued implementation of this low interest rate:
"In particular, the Committee decided to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and currently anticipates that this exceptionally low range for the federal funds rate will be appropriate at least as long as the unemployment rate remains above 6-1/2 percent, inflation between one and two years ahead is projected to be no more than a half percentage point above the Committee’s 2 percent longer-run goal, and longer-term inflation expectations continue to be well anchored."
The Federal Funds Rate will be maintained at 0.25%, as shown on the graph below.
Equity markets rallied after this news, and, on the Major Indices, the SPX and RUT are currently trading above their major uptrend line from the October 2011 lows, the DJI is backtesting its trendline, and the NDX is still trading well below its trendline, as shown on the Weekly charts below.
Bulls should be looking for the DJI to break and hold above this trendline and for the NDX to follow suit (as well as for the SPX and RUT to hold above their trendlines). Otherwise, we may see another break and possible test of this year's lows, or lower.
Meanwhile, data released, subsequently, shows that the Federal Budget Balance deficit has increased, as shown on the graph below...and the "Fiscal Cliff" issue remains unresolved.
