U.S. Federal Reserve cut U.S. economic growth forecast this year.

<P> Federal Reserve cut U.S. economic growth forecast for this year </ P> <P> It http://finance. News, U.S. Federal Reserve cut 20 of its 2008 U.S. economic growth forecast, but that the U.S. economy next year .pace of growth will be accelerated. .</ P> <P> According to the latest forecast, the Fed estimated that U.S. economic growth this year, 1.3% to 2.0%, lower than previously forecast 1.8% to 2.5%. .The Fed released the same day the last regular meeting of the monetary policy decision-making record of the meeting said that despite the Fed rate cut actions have been taken, but due to the housing sector has not yet appeared signs of stabilization, the financial situation is still not stable, the Fed believe that the downside risks to economic growth .still exist. .</ P> <P> due to economic slowdown, the Fed also forecast the unemployment rate will rise to 5.2% this year to 5.3% higher than the previous forecast of 4.9%. .Last year, the U.S. unemployment rate averaged 4.6%. .The Fed also predicted that removal of the core energy and food inflation this year will be 2.1 to 2.4 percent, higher than its original forecast of 1.8% to 2.1%. .</ P> <P> U.S. consumer prices in January rose 0.4% </ P> <P> 20, the Labor Department released data show that in January this year, U.S. consumer prices rose 0.4%, or the same as the previous month .. .</ P> <P> data show that in January consumer prices was mainly due to energy and food prices and rising health care costs. .Energy prices rose 0.7% in the month in which gasoline prices rose 1.2%. .Analysts believe that the New York market, due to the recent sharp rise in crude oil futures prices, future energy prices may continue higher. .</ P> <P> 1 Food prices also rose 0.7%, increased far more than the previous month of 0.1% over the past 11 months, the largest increase since, including vegetables, fruit and pork prices .have a more substantial increase. .</ P>.