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Fed: Rates to Stay Low - CNNMoney.com -- The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate near 0% and appeared ready to do so for the foreseeable future, after declaring Wednesday that despite signs of improvement, the nation's economy is likely to remain weak.

The fed funds rate is used as a benchmark to determine interest paid by consumers on credit cards and home equity loans, as well as the rate paid on many business loans.

Stocks Skid After Fed Holds Rates - CNNMoney.com -- Stocks ended mixed Wednesday after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, saying market conditions were helping the recovery but weakness will persist.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 11 points, 0.1%. The S&P 500 index rose 1 point, or 0.1%, while the Nasdaq composite gained 6 points, or 0.3%.

Refinance Loan Apps Up on Week, Purchase Demand Down 3.6% - In the most recent release, new loan application activity increased 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from the week ending December 4. The Refinance Index increased 0.9 percent while the Purchase Index decreased 3.6 percent from a week earlier. On an unadjusted basis the Market Composite Index was 0.3 percent lower than the previous week.