Hiking Without a Map
By Chloe Whiteaker, Chloe Whiteaker Jeremy Scott Diamond, Jeremy Scott Diamond and Jeanna Smialek Jeanna Smialek
Updated December 16, 2015

The U.S. Federal Reserve voted Wednesday to lift interest rates after 7 years at near-zero. Economic conditions barely resemble the last time the Fed raised rates, leaving policy makers without comparable experience to guide their way as they try to determine a path forward for stable economical growth.

Federal funds target rate