"We judged that the case for an increase has strengthened but decided for the time being to wait," Yellen told a news conference. Prices for fed funds futures contracts suggested investors continued to see just better-than-even odds of a hike at the December policy meeting, and almost no chance of an increase in November.U.S. stock prices rose after the Fed released its statement.The dissents from those wanting a hike this week suggested to some economists that pressure was building. Only 6 percent of those surveyed expected the Fed to raise rates, with the majority believing it would wait until December.The Fed has policy meetings scheduled in early November and mid-December. Economists believe policymakers would avoid a rate hike in November in part because the meeting falls just days before the U.S. presidential election.- Reuters

Source: The Star September 21, 2016 19:52 UTC