| ] The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to raise] its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points
 ] to 1-3/4 percent.
 ]
 ]	  The Committee believes that, even after this
 ] action, the stance of monetary policy remains
 ] accommodative and, coupled with robust underlying growth
 ] in productivity, is providing ongoing support to economic
 ] activity.  After moderating earlier this year partly in
 ] response to the substantial rise in energy prices, output
 ] growth appears to have regained some traction, and labor
 ] market conditions have improved modestly.
 Fed raises rates! |