The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it is maintaining its benchmark interest rate in a range between 5.25% and 5.5%, where it has stood since July as part of the central bank’s effort to reduce inflation. In a statement, the Federal Open Market Committee said the economy has been solid in recent months, with strong job growth and falling inflation. “The committee judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are moving into better balance,” it said. The improveme