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BloombergBy Craig Torres
Dec. 11 (Bloomberg) -- The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point to 4.25 percent to prevent the housing slump and credit squeeze from undoing the six-year expansion.
The change ``should help promote moderate growth over time,'' the Federal Open Market Committee said in a statement after meeting today in Washington. ``Recent developments, including the deterioration in financial market conditions, have increased the uncertainty surrounding the outlook for economic growth and inflation.''
The economy is faltering after a third-quarter surge as house prices drop, consumer spending slows and banks tighten lending standards for even their best customers. Chairman Ben S. Bernanke has struggled to insulate the economy from financial- market instability since the central bank began reducing borrowing costs in August.
``Incoming information suggests that economic growth is slowing, reflecting the intensification of the housing correction and some softening in business and consumer spending,'' the FOMC said. ``The committee will continue to assess the effects of financial and other developments in economic prospects and will act as needed to foster price stability and sustainable economic growth.''
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