In US, the Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged. However, while showing more confidence in the country's economic growth, the US central bank made it clear that an increase is possible in December. After a two-day meeting, policy makers at the bank expressed more faith in the strength of the economy than expected. The Federal Open Market Committee also dropped its warning from September that the global downturn could affect the US, even as worries mount over China's slowdown and falling commodity prices. The Federal Reserve has kept the target for its benchmark funds rate at a record low in a range of zero to 0.25 per cent since December 2008.