An interest rate hike is likely at this week's Federal Reserve meeting.
The Fed is now looking to reassure financial markets that it will raise rates gradually, without locking itself into too slow of a pace. If the pace does go too slow, the rate would need to be adjusted, if inflation picks up more than expected.
The Central Bank's two-day meeting ends Wednesday, December 16, 2015. It's expected that Fed Chair Janet Yellen will stress the gradual rate of increases in a news conference after the meeting.