3rd LD Writethru: U.S. Fed makes first rate cut of this year amid employment concerns

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday decided to lower the target range for the federal funds interest rate by 25 basis points to 4 to 4.25 percent, the first rate cut since December 2024.

Recent indicators suggest that growth of economic activity moderated in the first half of the year. Job gains have slowed, and the unemployment rate has edged up but remains low. Inflation has