Understanding the Fed's Rate Decisions: High or Low Interest Rates?

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s upcoming press conference will be closely watched for insights into the central bank’s rate outlook. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

The Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions have a significant impact on the economy, affecting everything from consumer spending and borrowing behavior to business investment and hiring decisions. As the Fed prepares to meet in December, investors and economists are parsing the clues for hints about the direction of interest rates. But the question remains: do we want high or low interest rates?