U.S. Fed keeps key rate steady following 3 straight cuts

The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged after three straight 0.25 percentage-point cuts last year, signaling that most of the central bank's policymakers are in no hurry to take new steps despite President Donald Trump's threats against its independent decision-making.The Fed maintained its target range for the federal funds rate, which commercial banks charge each other for overnight loans, at 3.50-3.75 percent at this year's first two-day monetary policy meeting.Its rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee said the U.S. economy has been expanding…READ FULL ARTICLE