Beijing, China - Oct 29, 2026 (CCTV Video News Agency - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Press released from Federal Reserve

FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
2. Various of U.S. Federal Reserve building

FILE: Racine, Wisconsin State, USA - Dec 2019 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
3. Various of workers in farming equipment factory

FILE: San Francisco, California, USA - May 2022 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
4. Various of office workers

FILE: Long Island, New York, USA - 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
5. Supermarket employee stocking shelves
6. Merchandise on shelves
7. Customers at cashier's

FILE: New York City, USA - Date Unknown (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
8. Various of consumers at cashier desk in store

FILE: New York City, New York, USA - Oct, 2024 (CCTV Video News Agency - No access Chinese mainland)
9. Various of New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) building, U.S. national flags
10. Various of Brooklyn Bridge
11. Various of port view, Statue of Liberty

The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.75 to 4 percent, less than a week ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

"Economic activity is expanding at a strong pace. While uncertainty remains elevated owing, in part, to geopolitical developments, domestic spending has been resilient. Productivity growth is strong, and capital investment is robust. Job gains have kept pace with the workforce, and the unemployment rate has changed little," said the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) in a statement.

Nevertheless, inflation remains elevated. In support of the Federal Reserve's dual mandate, "the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-3/4 to 4 percent," the FOMC said.

The committee reaffirmed "its policy of maintaining ample reserves in the banking system" and "price stability," saying the accumulation of more information will help the committee "determine the policy stance appropriate to ensure a timely return of inflation to the Committee's 2 percent goal."

Of the 12 FOMC members, 10 voted to keep the rate unchanged, while two favored a rate hike.