A Simple Explanation of the Federal Reserve Statement (June 24th Edition)

The Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged today within its target range of 0.000-0.250 percent.

The Fed also reiterated its plan to support the mortgage market to the tune of $1.5 trillion.

In its press release, the FOMC noted that the U.S. economy is not slowing with the same speed versus just two months ago and that financial markets, in general, are improving.

These are two signs that the country may be emerging from recession, if it hasn't already.

The news isn't all good, however. The Fed made a point to highlight the potential hazards the nations faces on its path to economic recovery:

• The prices of energy and commodities have been rising
• Job losses are still mounting nationally
• Businesses are reducing capital expenditures

Also in its statement, the Fed acknowledged a plan to hold the Fed Funds Rate near zero percent "for an extended period" and a re-commitment to the U.S. Treasury and Mortgage Bond markets.

Market reaction to the Fed's press release has been muted.

With no new stimulus and no new "tools" to spur the economy unveiled, Wall Street is business as usual. Mortgage rates are unchanged post-FOMC today.

The FOMC's next scheduled meeting is August 11-12, 2009.