21.   Banks also fell amid concern the U.S. Federal Reserve will raise its federal funds rate later today and leave the door open for a second rise.

22.   Before the release of the price report, many traders had expected the Federal Reserve to raise the federal funds rate later this month.

23.   Beginning last summer, the Fed moved three times to cut its target for the federal funds rate on loans between banks.

24.   Blinder suggested the Fed should use a real target for the fed funds rate as opposed to a nominal target as its gauge for setting monetary policy.

25.   Bonds regained some lost ground when Parry, in later comments, said the so-called fed funds rate is not far from where it should be.

26.   Bond investors welcomed the news because it boosts the odds the Federal Reserve will hold the federal funds rate on overnight bank loans steady well in the new year.

27.   Bonds later cut their losses when Perry added that the Federal funds rate was not far from where it should be.

28.   A lower fed funds rate stimulates the economy by helping drive down loan rates on everything from automobiles to homes.

29.   A hike in the funds rate would quickly translate into higher rates for home equity loans.

30.   A lower fed funds rate encourages economic activity by driving down rates of mortgages and other loans.