Fed keeps interest rates near 0

美联储决定维持零利率

The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at the record-low level of near zero, as inflation debate heats up, driven by COVID-19 vaccination progress and the latest relief package.

虽然通货膨胀辩论升温，但受新冠疫苗接种进程和最新一揽子救济方案的影响，美联储3月17日决定继续维持基准利率接近零的历史最低水平不变。

The Fed also said it will continue an asset purchase program, and buy at least $120 billion of bonds a month, increasing its holdings of Treasury securities by at least $80 billion and of agency mortgage-backed securities by at least $40 billion.

美联储还表示，将继续实施资产购买计划，每月购买至少1200亿美元债券，每月增持至少800亿美元的国债和至少400亿美元的住房抵押贷款支持证券。

Fed officials expect the US economy to grow by 6.5% this year, better than the previous projection of 4.2% in December.

美联储官员预计2021年美国经济将增长6.5%，高于去年12月时预测的4.2%。

Most Fed officials expected that interest rates would remain near zero at least through 2023, but seven out of the 18 participants looked for a hike in 2023.

美联储多数官员预计，至少到2023年底，利率将保持在接近零的水平，但是18人中有7人预计2023年会加息。