Fed to Keep Rates at Record Low for an “Extended Period”
Earlier this week, the Federal Reserve pledged to keep interest rates at a record low in an effort to decrease the nation’s double-digit unemployment rate and maintain the slow economic recovery. Chairman Ben Bernanke noted that consumer spending remains sluggish and companies are still wary of hiring so the Fed vowed to keep interest rates at the current range of zero to 0.25 percent for an “extended period.” The Fed said it has the ability to hold rates at this super-low level because inflation is expected to remain subdued for some time. The current super-low interest rates are helpful for…