The US Federal Reserve raised its benchmark lending rate on Wednesday to the highest level since 2001 to tackle above-target inflation and signalled the possibility of further increases ahead. The quarter percentage-point rise lifts the Fed’s key lending rate to a range between 5.25 per cent and 5.5pc, the US central bank said, adding that it will “continue to assess additional information and its implications … Continue reading US Fed hikes interest rates to highest level since 2001