Categories: BusinessLatest

US Federal Reserve Keeps Interest Rate Unchanged, Signals Readiness to Boost Economy

The US Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate at a record low near zero and signalled its readiness to do more if needed to support an economy under threat from a worsening coronavirus pandemic.

The Fed announced no new actions after its latest policy meeting but left the door open to provide further assistance in the coming months.

Chair Jerome Powell again pledged to use the central bank’s “powerful tools … to support the economy during this difficult time for as long as needed.” The economy in recent weeks has weakened after mounting a tentative recovery from the deep pandemic recession in early spring.

Several Fed officials have expressed concern that Congress has failed so far to provide further aid for struggling individuals and businesses. But the Fed’s policy statement, issued after a two-day meeting, made no mention of lawmakers’ failure to act.

A multi-trillion-dollar stimulus, enacted in the spring, had helped sustain jobless Americans and ailing businesses but has since expired. The failure of lawmakers to agree on any new rescue package has clouded the future for the unemployed, for small businesses and for the economy as a whole. There is some hope, though, that a logjam can be broken and more economic relief can be enacted during a post-election “lame-duck” session of Congress between now and early January.

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Prince William Arrives In South Africa For Earthshot Prize And Wildlife Summit

Prince William visits South Africa for Earthshot Prize, aiming to spotlight climate innovation and support…

26 mins ago

Abuja Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Dana Air MD Hathiramani Ranesh over Absence at Fraud Trial

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Dana Air MD Hathiramani…

38 mins ago

Equatorial Guinea Anti-Graft Chief Embroiled in Major Sex Scandal, Over 400 Tapes Found Involving Top Officials’ Families

A High-ranking Equatorial Guinean official is facing a major sex scandal with 400 explicit sex…

44 mins ago

Tinubu Orders Immediate Release Of All Minors Arrested In Connection To #EndBadGovernance Protest

Tinubu Orders Immediate Release Of All Minors Arrested In Connection To #EndBadGovernance Protest President Tinubu…

50 mins ago

Court of Appeal Acquits Ex-CJN Onnoghen Of Non-Declaration Of Assets Charges, Orders Unfreezing of Bank Accounts

The Court of Appeal has discharged former CJN Walter Onnoghen, overturning his 2019 asset declaration…

5 hours ago