Fed postpones interest rate hike again

The Federal Reserve opted not to raise interest rates at its meeting today, noting in a statement that the pace of hiring has slowed, even though the overall U.S. economy has improved. Economists say the long-expected hike could come next month, but the Fed gave no hints about its next move. Based on a survey taken at today’s meeting, six of the group’s 17 officials expect to approve at least one rate hike before the end of the year. The median expectation was for two rate hikes by December.