Markets Brace for Federal Reserve Rate Decision Amid Inflation

Investors are waiting for the Federal Reserve to decide whether to raise interest rates.

The decision is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Recent jobs and inflation numbers have made a rate increase seem more likely.

Much of that possibility is already reflected in financial-market prices.

Investors will pay close attention to what the Federal Reserve says about future decisions.

They will also study new forecasts for growth, inflation, and interest rates.

Other reports will show how consumers, factories, and the housing market are performing.

Higher oil prices could make fuel, transportation, and other goods more expensive.