The US central bank has cut interest rates for the second time this year in a move consistently sought by President Trump.

Rates were brought down by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75%-4%. Unlike the UK, the US interest rate is a range to guide lenders rather than a single percentage.

The Federal Reserve, known as the Fed, has opted for the cut despite the absence of economic announcements due to the government shutdown.

Latest employment figures were not published, as all non-essential functions of government are frozen over the inability of Republican and Democratic legislators to agree on a spending package.

The absence of these figures makes it trickier for the Fed to assess the state of the economy and meet its dual mandate to keep inflation steady and maintain maximum emplo

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