The US Federal Reserve decided to maintain its monetary policy and keep interest rates unchanged, as expected, at 5.25% for the first time, in a unanimous decision taken by members after ten consecutive meetings of raising interest rates, the strongest rate of increase in three decades.

And the interest statement issued by the bank stated that economic activity continued to expand and job gains were strong in recent months, but inflation is still high and that the committee is still very concerned about inflation risks and that today’s decision will allow members of the bank to evaluate monetary policy and its impact on inflation The bank will continue to reduce its holdings of Treasury bonds, agency debt, and mortgage-backed securities, as in its previously announced plans.

The committee will be ready to adjust monetary policy as necessary if risks arise. The committee will base its assessment on labor market conditions, inflation pressures and expectations, and financial and international developments.

The committee’s expectations came with a decline in unemployment rates to 4.1% this year from 4.5% in March estimates and at 4.5% next year, while it sees growth at 1% in the current year compared to 0.4% in March estimates, and that it will rise to 1.1% next year and sees inflation In consumer spending at 3.2% in the current year and 2.5% in the next year, compared to 3.3% and 2.5%, respectively, in March estimates, and that core inflation is at levels of 3.9%, compared to 3.6% in March estimates, and kept the March estimates. for the next year at 2.5%.

With regard to interest rates, the Fed believes that they will be at peak levels of 5.6% during the current year, compared to 4.6% in March estimates, at 3.4% in 2025, and about 2.5% in the long term.

The US dollar rose by about 0.50% from its lowest level after the statement, as it benefited from the committee’s expectations that the Fed sees interest rates at 5.6% levels during the current year, which opens the door to a final move that may be in July or the fourth quarter, in addition to the Fed not discussing a rate cut during the current year.