Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged

Updated from 2:22 p.m. EST

As was widely expected, the Federal Reserve made no change to monetary policy at its committee meeting Tuesday, leaving the fed funds rate at 1.25%, its lowest level in 41 years. The central bank also said the risks of weakness in the economy were balanced with the risks of inflation.

In its statement, the Federal Open Market Committee said the small amount of data released since its last meeting in November isn't inconsistent with an economy working its way out of its soft spot.

"The accommodative stance of monetary policy, coupled with still robust underlying growth in productivity, is providing important ongoing support to economic activity," the Fed said.

Few anticipated an additional reduction in rates, despite some spotty reports of weakness in the economy. Last week, the Labor Department said the economy lost 40,000 jobs in November and that the unemployment rate spiked up to 6%. Separately, the Institute for Supply Management's key index of manufacturing activity was weaker than expected.

Meanwhile, various retailers, including Wal-Mart (WMT - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr), Target (TGT - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr), and Ann Taylor (ANN - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) had weak sales results for November.

After cutting the fed funds rate half a point in November, Alan Greenspan acknowledged the economy has hit a "soft spot," due to weak capital spending, a decline in stock values, corporate malfeasance and geopolitical risk. But he said already accommodative monetary policy would be enough to help work through it.

Tuesday's decision follows a shakeup of President Bush's economic team, in which Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill and White House economic adviser Larry Lindsey resigned. Bush nominated CSX (CSX - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) chairman John Snow Monday as his new Treasury secretary.

The president is preparing to present a $300 billion fiscal stimulus package to Congress within the next few weeks, according to the Wall Street Journal, in efforts to bolster the economy.

The president Tuesday nominated William Donaldson, co-founder of Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, to replace Harvey Pitt as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

After the announcement, the Dow was off its highest levels of the day but up 48 points at 8521. The Nasdaq was ahead 24 points at 1391. The S&P 500 was gaining 7 points at 899.