Mammoney - Your Ultimate Guide to Personal Finance & Investing

Interest rates play a crucial role in the financial markets and can significantly impact your investments. Understanding how interest rates affect different asset classes and investment strategies is essential for making informed decisions and managing your portfolio effectively. In this comprehensive article, we will explore the impact of interest rates on various types of investments, the factors that influence interest rates, and practical tips for navigating changing interest rate environments. Understanding Interest Rates Interest rates represent the cost of borrowing money and the return on savings and investments. They are determined by central banks, such as the Federal Reserve in the United States, and are influenced by various economic factors, including inflation, economic growth, and monetary policy. Interest rates can be broadly categorized into short-term and long-term rates, each affecting different aspects of the economy and financial markets. Factors Influencing Intere...