The Federal Reserve voted on Wednesday to leave interest rates unchanged, despite inflation rising from 3.4% in August to 3.7% in September. This was the central bank’s final monetary policy decision before the midterm elections. Rising costs for gasoline, diesel and crude oil were the main sources of inflation. The Fed said inflation remained elevated and that more information would guide policymakers and help the central bank achieve its 2% inflation target. Wednesday’s vote was divided, whereas the September vote unanimously approved an interest rate hike.