WASHINGTON -- With economic growth slowing in recent months, the Federal Reserve said Thursday it would keep short-term interest rates near zero and continue its latest bond-buying stimulus program.


Following a two-day meeting, Fed policymakers said recent information "suggests that growth in economic activity paused in recent months, in large part because of weather-related disruptions and other transitory factors."


Those disruptions included the Midwest drought and Superstorm Sandy.



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  • Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke





    Photo: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke