To the surprise of few, the American central bank is deciding to keep interest rates where they have been since 2008 – near zero.
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board cites concerns about a weak world economy, but is leaving the door open to the possibility of a modest policy move later this year.
The Fed’s 17 policy makers huddle again in October and December.
As for when rates may be hiked, the Fed repeated it wanted to see ”some further improvement in the labor market,” and be ”reasonably confident” that inflation will increase.