Markets in a Minute - The Fed Effect: Power, Politics, and Your Portfolio

For over a century, the Federal Reserve has played a central role in shaping the U.S. economy, balancing its dual mandate of promoting maximum employment and maintaining stable prices. Yet, it remains one of the most scrutinized—and misunderstood—institutions in the country. This week’s Markets in a Minutebreaks down the Fed’s history, its evolving responsibilities, and common misconceptions about what it can and can’t control, such as mortgage rates.