Fed pauses interest rate hikes: keeps it at 5 to 5.25%.

The U.S. Federal Reserve kept its interest rate in a range of five to 5.25 percent, after 10 consecutive announcements in which it raised its benchmark by a total of 500 basis points. In its statement, the Fed's Federal Open Market Committee specified that the body "would be prepared" to adjust the monetary policy stance if risks arise that could prevent a decline in…