Fed chief Janet Yellen warns of Brexit impact on US economy

Could affect investors' risk appetite

Jayna Rana
clock • 2 min read

Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen has said a UK vote to leave the European Union (EU) could have "significant economic repercussions" in the US and will affect the Fed's decision to raise interest rates.

Brexit is one of the factors the central bank would consider when deciding whether to raise interest rates, Yellen said in a speech on Monday, according to the BBC. She warned investors' "appetite for risk" could change suddenly and market sentiment would be hit if the UK were to leave the EU. Yellen (pictured) said: "A vote to exit the EU could have significant economic repercussions." Her comments mirror those of Federal Reserve board of governors' Lael Brainard, who suggested a Brexit could have a "significant adverse reaction" to the US market. In her speech, Yellen also rei...

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