It was the third straight meeting that the Central Bank stood pat on its key interest rate, following a series of increases that lifted it from 1% since June 2004.

FORBES: Fed Holds Steady

Record-breaking world oil prices mean prospects are bright for Halliburton's oil field services business, which had profit margins of 14.2% in the three months to June 2004, up 1% on year-earlier.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Halliburton hopes for better days

It was the fifth-straight Fed meeting without a move, following a series of increases beginning in June 2004 that raised rates from 1%.

FORBES: Markets Surge As Fed Leaves Rates Alone