The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday held interest rates in the world's largest economy steady, with three of the 12 voting policymakers dissenting from the majority decision and calling for a quarter-percentage-point rate hike. The Fed held its target range at 3.50-3.75% for the fifth straight meeting, repeating its previous assessment of inflation, unemployment and economic activity. Economists had largely expected the Fed to leave rates unchanged, although financial markets continue to see a significant chance of an increase in September. Dissenting in favour of a quarter-point rate increase were Beth Hammack, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland; Neel Kashkari, president of the Minneapolis Fed; and Lorie Logan, president of the Dallas Fed. Hammack, Kashkari and Logan had previously called for higher rates or indicated that they were open to an increase to combat high prices.