Fed holds interest rates steady in last decision before midterms

US central bank last month raised rates for first time since 2023, in move that infuriated Donald Trump The US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday during its last board meeting before the midterm elections, keeping rates at one of the highest pre-election levels seen in over 20 years.

Two out of 12 board members voted against the pause, preferring to raise rates by a quarter point this meeting, the Fed board said in a statement. Last month, Fed officials raised rates for the first time since 2023,…