Fed funds rate now 4.5%
Retail sales, jobs increase in most districts
Federal Reserve releases FOMC minutes
Campaign of increases may be nearing end
Policy makers worried that rising energy costs would boost core consumer prices
Incoming chairman pledges continuity with Greenspan’s policies
Economy has forward momentum
U.S. economy to get a boost from rebuilding in hurricane-affected areas
Bernanke a strong proponent of inflation targeting
Greenspan to step down in January