At what could be one of Janet Yellen's last meetings as Federal Reserve chair, policymakers decided to keep short-term rates unchanged. But analysts are looking for a rate increase next month.
As expected, the Federal Reserve says it will hold interest rates in a range between 1 percent and 1.25 percent, while noting job gains have been solid and the labor market continues to strengthen.
The quarter-point increase in the Federal Reserve's benchmark rate was widely expected. Rates are still near historic lows, but the increase will mean higher borrowing costs for consumers.
Central bank policymakers provided little guidance on the timing of a rate hike. They said slow growth in the first quarter it is likely transitory and that inflation is close to a goal of 2 percent.
The Fed also said it is looking to increase rates three times in 2018, as inflation approaches the central bank's target annual rate of 2 percent and the unemployment rate appears stable.
The vote to nudge benchmark interest rates higher was unanimous, the central bank says. The rate moves from the current 0.25-0.50 percent to a range of 0.50 and 0.75 percent.
Federal Reserve policymakers finished meeting Wednesday, less than a week before Election Day. They left interest rates unchanged but said the case for more expensive loans is strengthening.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at very low levels. Fed policymakers expressed worries about job growth, so they did not want higher rates to further cool hiring.
Germany became the latest country where investors are paying the government for the privilege of owning bonds. It's usually the other way around. Global economic fears are driving this unusual trend.
Fed policymakers are seeing more risks that could derail the U.S. economy. For example, China's growth is slow and our energy sector is weak. So the Fed chose Wednesday to keep interest rates low.
The Federal Reserve decided Wednesday to hold interest rates steady. The nation's central bank is watching for signs of overheating, but for now, says the economy is growing at a sustainable rate.
After holding rates near zero for seven years, the Fed approved a small increase Wednesday. While that step seems minor, the impact could be huge in 2016 as borrowing costs head up.
The Federal Reserve's thinking about interest rates may seem a bit mysterious. But here are some graphs that should help you see where we've been, and why the central bank may be ready to raise rates.
Many construction companies are still recovering from the housing crash, and while buyers don't seem pressured by a looming Federal Reserve decision, higher rates would make mortgages less affordable.
The last time Fed policymakers raised rates, young Americans' lives were different. They couldn't share the news or comment via Twitter on iPhones and iPads because those things didn't exist.
Economists are saying that October's surprisingly strong job growth will encourage the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates next month. So holiday shoppers may pay more for using credit cards.
Job growth turned out to be a lot slower in September than most economists had been assuming. Now, with hiring looking weak, they think the Federal Reserve may put off any rate increase until 2016.
The Federal Reserve chose to leave interest rates unchanged Thursday. For the central bank even a decision to do nothing is a big deal, creating all sorts of winners (homebuyers) and losers (savers).
The Federal Reserve decided to leave interest rates unchanged at historically low levels, even though the U.S. economy has been gaining strength. The Fed has kept a key rate near zero since late 2008.
Some economists say the Federal Reserve should leave rates alone, but many say super-low rates have big risks, too. They argue that the central bank needs to push rates back up to historic norms.
