The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised the benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point as expected, citing an improving economy with one month to go before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
The policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to increase the key federal funds rate to a range of 0.5 to 0.75 percent, but repeated that theRead more
US Federal Reserve policy makers last month believed risks to the US economy had lessened but wanted to keep their interest rate policy "options open," according to minutes released Wednesday.
Policy makers also believed the global financial system had properly withstood any shock created by Britain's June vote to exit the European Union, the minutes said.
Taken during the JulyRead more
Federal Reserve policymakers were divided over whether US economic conditions would be strong enough to weather an interest rate increase soon, the minutes of the June 14-15 meeting showed Wednesday.
Some members of the Federal Open Market Committee saw growing improvement in the labor market and signs inflation was moving higher, underpinning support for a hike in ultra-low rates.
ButRead more