As reported in December, the Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) elected to raise the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a targeted range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent. The committee cited a strong labor market, low unemployment and increased household spending and economic activity. The decision has financial experts speculating on how many rate hikes, if any, will occur in 2019. On average, the forecast is for two rate hikes, which FOMC ... more