The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday left its benchmark interest rate unchanged after a two-day meeting in Washington, according to dpa. The Fed's Open Market Committee voted 9-1 to keep the rate at a range of 0.25 to 0.5 per cent, according to a statement. The statement appeared to leave open the possibility that there might be a rise in interest rates in June. The committee reiterated its intention to raise rates at a gradual pace. The last time it raised rates was after its December meeting. References in Wednesday's statement to the improvement in US unemployment coupled with the omission of language contained in previous statements referring to risks posed by global economic and financial developments has been interpreted as meaning a rate hike is coming in June.
