US Federal Reserve holds interest rates

ANKARA

The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday held interest rates near zero, the central bank announced after the meeting of its Federal Open Market Committee.

In a statement after the meeting, the Fed pointed out that economic growth was "moderate," while the inflation outlook was still poor.

In determining whether it will be appropriate to raise rates at its next meeting, the Fed will look closely at the employment picture and at the inflation outlook.

Inflation should move toward 2 percent annually, and there should be clearer progress in employment, the statement said. The "pace of job gains slowed," the statement said.

The committee did not make reference in this statement to risks from the global economic slowdown, as it did in its September statement.

The committee wants to be "reasonably certain" that the inflation outlook will improve before raising rates, the statement said.

The committee does not meet in November, but the statement on Wednesday signaled that a rate hike would be under consideration in its December meeting.

ANKARA

The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday held interest rates near zero, the central bank announced after the meeting of its Federal Open Market Committee.

In a statement after the meeting, the Fed pointed out that economic growth was "moderate," while the inflation outlook was still poor.

In determining whether it will be appropriate to raise rates at its next meeting, the Fed will look closely at the employment picture and at the inflation outlook.

Inflation should move toward 2 percent annually, and there should be clearer progress in employment, the statement said. The "pace of job gains slowed," the statement said.

The committee did not make reference in this statement to risks from the global economic slowdown, as it did in its September statement.

The committee wants to be "reasonably certain" that the inflation outlook will improve before raising rates, the statement said.

The committee does not meet in November, but the statement on Wednesday signaled that a rate hike would be under consideration in its December meeting.