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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US interest rates remain on hold | US interest rates remain on hold |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Federal Reserve has decided to keep US interest rates on hold at between 0% and 0.25%, as had been widely expected. | The Federal Reserve has decided to keep US interest rates on hold at between 0% and 0.25%, as had been widely expected. |
| Despite continuing signs that the US economy is recovering, the central bank reiterated that rates would stay at the low level for an "extended period". | Despite continuing signs that the US economy is recovering, the central bank reiterated that rates would stay at the low level for an "extended period". |
| The Fed's hand was strengthened by official data showing earlier on Wednesday that US inflation remains under control. | The Fed's hand was strengthened by official data showing earlier on Wednesday that US inflation remains under control. |
| Inflation rose by just 0.4% in November, as had also been predicted. | |
| With inflation continuing to be low, the Fed is not under pressure to increase interest rates as a means to tackle any inflationary pressure. | With inflation continuing to be low, the Fed is not under pressure to increase interest rates as a means to tackle any inflationary pressure. |
| Instead, it can keep the cost of borrowing low to help the US economy continue to rebound. | Instead, it can keep the cost of borrowing low to help the US economy continue to rebound. |
| Separate official US figures on Wednesday indicated that the economic recovery remains on track. | Separate official US figures on Wednesday indicated that the economic recovery remains on track. |
| The Commerce Department said the current account deficit rose 10.3% to $108bn (£66bn) between July and September, as demand for overseas goods among US consumers increased. | The Commerce Department said the current account deficit rose 10.3% to $108bn (£66bn) between July and September, as demand for overseas goods among US consumers increased. |
| Meanwhile, new home construction for November grew by 8.9% to an annual rate of 574,000 units. | Meanwhile, new home construction for November grew by 8.9% to an annual rate of 574,000 units. |
| The most recent official figures showed that the US economy grew at an annual pace of 2.8% during the third quarter, down from an initial estimate of a 3.5% expansion. | The most recent official figures showed that the US economy grew at an annual pace of 2.8% during the third quarter, down from an initial estimate of a 3.5% expansion. |