Fed keeps key interest rate unchanged www.nhk.or.jp
Policymakers at the US Federal Reserve have kept the key interest rate unchanged. But their positive view for the country's economy is raising speculation that a rate hike may be on the way.
The Fed announced the decision after a two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee that ended on Wednesday.
A statement released after the meeting says the US labor market strengthened and economic activity has been expanding at a moderate pace.
It also says the committee continues to monitor global economic and financial developments.
The Fed has decided against an interest rate increase for five policy meetings in a row.
But the Fed said near-term risks to the economic outlook have diminished.
The US economy is believed to have grown more than two percent in the April-June quarter.
Some analysts expect that the Fed may raise the rate as early as in its next policy meeting in September.
Published Date:2016-07-28