Fed poised to boost rates again

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Reserve is prepared to keep boosting interest rates until the speeding economy slows to a more sustainable pace that's not likely to spark inflation, private economists believe.

In recent speeches, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has raised new worries that too-rapid growth could derail the record-breaking economy, which is in the 108th month of uninterrupted growth. Many economists took those remarks as a signal that higher interest rates would be forthcoming.

Many economists predict the central bank is poised to boost rates by a quarter of a percentage point, the fifth rate increase since June.

The Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee was meeting today to review interest rate policy. A midafternoon announcement of its decision was expected.

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