Fed leaves interest rates unchanged, signals two hikes this year

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday and signaled it still plans two rate increases this year, saying it expects the U.S. job market to strengthen after a recent slowdown. The U.S. central bank, however, lowered its economic growth forecasts for 2016 and 2017 and indicated it would be less aggressive in tightening monetary policy after the end of this year. Fed policymakers gave no indication of when they might raise rates, though their projections leave the door open to an increase next month.