Fed holds QE as govt shutdown weighs on growth

In its latest minutes released on Wednesday, the US central bank announced plans to continue buying $85bn in bonds per month. It alluded to the damage caused to the economic outlook by the government shutdown for more than half of October, as well as a slowing recovery in the housing market. The minutes also mention concerns over increasing borrowing costs, suggesting the bank will maintain interest rates at the current depressed levels. Last month, the Fed shocked markets by keeping its bond buying programme unchanged, after previously saying it will be scaled back sooner rather t...