Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell discussed the central bank’s decision to hold the benchmark federal-funds rate at its current range around 4.3% after three consecutive rate cuts beginning in September,

With The Federal Reserve's policy stance significantly less restrictive and the economy remaining strong, the central bank isn't in a hurry to adjust its stance, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday at the post-decision press conference.

Jerome H. Powell, the Fed chair, characterized policy settings as still “meaningfully restrictive,” suggesting that interest rates at their current levels were continuing to weigh on the economy and help stamp out remaining price pressures.