Investors are worried about the Chinese economy teetering as well as signs that the U.S. economy may be growing too fast for inflation to moderate.

Fitch’s credit-rating decision stemmed from concerns about America’s ability to govern itself, along with the nation’s growing debt load.

The S&P 500 is up about 20 percent this year, but some still warn that the future may not be as rosy as that implies.

Stock markets often exhibit caution ahead of major events like Fed meetings, waiting until there is clarity over the central bank’s next move.

Analysts warn that bankruptcies and defaults could jump as the world adjusts to higher interest rates.

Companies are expected to report a fall in profits, but some analysts see brighter times ahead.

The yield curve began suggesting last year that the economy was headed for a slump.

As companies begin to report earnings and make forecasts, investors are looking for signs of resilience, while executives are playing cautious.

It has been an arduous process to get the financial system to stop relying on the tarnished interest-rate benchmark.

Investors this week appeared more cautious, ending a long streak of market gains that followed the Fed’s pause in interest rate increases.