Odaily星球日报讯 Federal Reserve officials are expected to keep interest rates unchanged this week, but there are still significant differences among officials over whether financial conditions are already sufficiently tight. This debate is becoming an important factor in determining whether the Fed needs to continue raising rates and when to take the next step.

Some Fed policymakers believe that although U.S. Treasury yields have risen significantly, stock prices, credit supply, and corporate investment activity indicate that overall financial conditions remain relatively loose and are not sufficient to effectively curb inflation. Other officials are more focused on economic data and believe they can wait for further evidence before adjusting interest rates.

The Fed will conclude its two-day monetary policy meeting in the early hours of Thursday Beijing time. The market widely expects policymakers to keep the federal funds rate target range at 3.75% to 4.00%, after the Fed unanimously agreed to raise rates by 25 basis points in September. Investors currently expect the next rate hike may occur at the meeting on December 8-9.