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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| US leaves rates unchanged at 2% | US leaves rates unchanged at 2% |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| The US central bank has left interest rates unchanged at 2%, citing inflation concerns and rejecting calls for a cut. | The US central bank has left interest rates unchanged at 2%, citing inflation concerns and rejecting calls for a cut. |
| While the Federal Reserve had been tipped to leave rates on hold, analysts said a cut looked more likely after Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy. | While the Federal Reserve had been tipped to leave rates on hold, analysts said a cut looked more likely after Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy. |
| The Fed has sought to soothe nerves and earlier injected $70bn (£39bn) into markets to boost liquidity. | The Fed has sought to soothe nerves and earlier injected $70bn (£39bn) into markets to boost liquidity. |
| Central banks worldwide have faced the twin threat of quickening inflation and a wider economic slowdown. | Central banks worldwide have faced the twin threat of quickening inflation and a wider economic slowdown. |
| "The downside risks to growth and the upside risks to inflation are both of significant concern to the committee," the bank's officials said. | "The downside risks to growth and the upside risks to inflation are both of significant concern to the committee," the bank's officials said. |
| The decision to leave rates at 2%, as it has been since April, was a unanimous decision. | The decision to leave rates at 2%, as it has been since April, was a unanimous decision. |
| US shares remained volatile with the leading Dow Jones Industrial Average down 106 points to 10,811 after the news. | US shares remained volatile with the leading Dow Jones Industrial Average down 106 points to 10,811 after the news. |
| However, it later ended more than 140 points higher at 11,059.02 as investors interpreted the Fed's unanimous decision as a sign that the economy was less fragile than some feared. | |
| Another factor boosting the market were reports that insurance giant AIG might be able to access a loan from the Federal Reserve, that would prevent the firm from collapsing. | |
| Certain traders had hoped the central bank would cut rates in a bid to boost the economy. | Certain traders had hoped the central bank would cut rates in a bid to boost the economy. |
| Investment firm Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy on Monday, triggering market jitters and prompting a sharp fall in shares worldwide. | |
| While the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged on Tuesday, it noted that stresses on financial markets had grown sharply and added that it would take further action if needed. | |
| The central bank said "strains in financial markets have increased significantly and labour markets have weakened further." | The central bank said "strains in financial markets have increased significantly and labour markets have weakened further." |