U.S. Fed raises rates, but signals slower pace of hikes next year

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference in Washington D.C., the United States, on Dec. 19, 2018. The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised short-term interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, its fourth rate hike this year and the ninth such move since late 2015. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)