US Federal Reserve lifts interest rates

September 20, 2005 

The US Federal Reserve has just raised the base rate of interest for the 11th month in a row, despite concerns that the economy will slow after Hurricane Katrina. 
The rate rose by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75%, but analysts have predicted it may rise to 4.5% in the coming months, in spite of consumer spending being down. The Fed says it is hoping to counter soaring house prices and the high price of oil. 
Economic growth in the US this year is forecast at around 3.3%, but government officials estimate that 0.5% growth could be lost due to Hurricane Katrina.
US Federal Reserve lifts interest rates September 20 , 2005 The US Federal Reserve has just raised the base rate of interest for the 11th month in a row , despite concerns that the economy will slow after Hurricane Katrina . The rate rose by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75 % , but analysts have predicted it may rise to 4.5 % in the coming months , in spite of consumer spending being down . The Fed says it is hoping to counter soaring house prices and the high price of oil . Economic growth in the US this year is forecast at around 3.3 % , but government officials estimate that 0.5 % growth could be lost due to Hurricane Katrina .
US Federal Reserve lifts interest rates
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September 20, 2005
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The US Federal Reserve
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the base rate
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interest
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the 11th month in a row
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concerns
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the economy
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Hurricane Katrina
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The rate
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a quarter
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a percentage point
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3.75%
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analysts
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4.5%
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the coming months
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spite
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consumer spending
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The Fed
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soaring house prices
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the high price
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oil
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Economic growth
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the US
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around 3.3%
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government officials
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0.5% growth
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Hurricane Katrina
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The US
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the US
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