Federal Reserve Maintains Rates, Hints At December Hike

After a two-day policy meeting, top officials at the U.S. Federal Reserve voted once again to leave benchmark interest rates unchanged. However, as they did in September, the statement acknowledged improvements in the economy and job market, and hinted a December rake hike.

"The committee judges that the case for an increase in the federal funds rate has continued to strengthen, but decided, for the time being, to wait for some further evidence of continued progress toward its objectives," the FOMC statement read, suggesting an increasing support for a raise in 2016. Several members of the FOMC already supported a hike earlier this year.

Ahead of the meeting, futures markets already assumed a 75 percent chance of a December hike. Benzinga asked its Twitter followers if we'll see an interest rate hike in December. Only 57 percent of respondents said Yes, while the remaining 43 percent answered No.

Markets were little changed following the announcement, although the S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq indexes all closed down on Wednesday. The S&P 500 closed below 2,100 for the first time since July.

Check out this recent Benzinga article to better understand why the FOMC isn't making any big decisions right now.