The Federal Open Market Committee kept the federal funds rate steady, following three rate cuts last year.

The Fed and chair Jerome Powell are likely to hold interest rates steady as he faces a criminal investigation launched by President Donald Trump's close ally.

The US Federal Reserve has voted to hold interest rates as its chair, Jerome Powell, defended the importance of central bank independence. The Fed said it will keep its key lending rate between 3.5% to 3.75%, stating that economic activity in the US "has been expanding at a solid pace".

The Federal Reserve pushed the pause button on its interest rate cuts Wednesday, leaving its key rate unchanged at about 3.6% after lowering it three times last year

The change to the [Federal Open Market Committee’s] policy statement, acknowledging the recent solid pace of GDP growth and stabilisation in the unemployment rate, is further evidence that the Fed is unlikely to cut interest rates again for at least a couple more meetings.

The Federal Reserve is nearing an interest rate decision at its January meeting. Jerome Powell is under growing pressure amid a DOJ investigation.

A Federal Reserve interest rate decision, earnings from Microsoft, Meta, Tesla, Apple, and other key firms, U.S. trade deficit data, and more.