Federal Reserve policy makers may regard further evidence of slower growth as more of a threat to the record expansion than rising prices. The Fed's interest-rate setting Open Market Committee next meets Dec. 19. Trading in fed funds futures contracts, directly tied to the overnight bank rate, shows investors expect no rate change from the Fed before the end of January. Further signs of a significant slowdown in the economy could persuade policy-makers to signal the risks of weaker growth and accelerating inflation are equal. Durable goods orders fall.
Consumer confidence falls.
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