U.S. Fed keeps key interest rate at 22-year high of 5.25-5.50%

The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept its benchmark interest rate steady at a 22-year high of 5.25-5.50 percent, extending a pause that began in late July, but did not rule out another hike in the coming months.The Fed's second consecutive decision to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate, which commercial banks charge each other for overnight loans, came as inflation remains elevated.The U.S. central bank has left the door open to another rate hike as the world's largest economy is strong and core inflation remains well above its target of 2 percent.In a statement, rele…READ FULL ARTICLE