Traders stick to same Fed rate-hike view after Yellen speech

NEW YORK: US short-term interest rates futures were higher on Friday, falling briefly following a highly anticipated speech from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen who said the case for higher rates has strengthened.

Federal funds futures implied traders saw about a 50 percent chance the Fed would hike rates at its Dec. 13-14 policy meeting, compared with a 52 percent chance late on Thursday, according to CME Group's FedWatch program.