WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Federal Reserve left the key US lending rate unchanged on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) and said it would be “patient” about making any further changes, in the clearest signal yet the central bank has heeded concerns about the economy.

And Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell followed that dovish statement by saying “the case for raising rates has weakened somewhat,” given low inflation and amid “cross-currents and risks” buffeting the US economy that will be around for a while.