By | December 16 2009 8:12 PM

As predicted the US Federal Reserve maintained its current stance on interest rates leaving the benchmark between zero and 25 bps. The finer points of the policy showed a similar line to previous statements with the Fed maintaining interest rates at current levels for an extended period as Inflation will remain subdued for some time. In a recent speech in Washington, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke was careful to paint a realistic view of the economic outlook, stating the economy faces formidable headwinds, and reaffirmed the fed's stance on interest rates to remain at current levels for an extended period with employment conditions likely to keep a lid on inflation.  The dire unemployment situation is considered the missing link on a sustained recovery in the US, although earlier this month we saw US Non-farm Payrolls show overwhelming signs of improvement, which had economists projecting the scales to turn to positive job creation by February 2010.