The Federal Reserve opted to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged for the fifth consecutive meeting on Wednesday

Persistent inflation concerns are expected to push the central bank toward an interest rate hike.

The U.S. economy expanded at a sluggish 1.5% pace from April through June as rising imports weighed on growth. But consumer spending rose.

The US economy expanded at a slower 1.5% pace in the second quarter. Strong consumer spending and AI infrastructure investment supported overall economic activity. Imports surged,…