Greenspan tees up last rate rise

From the BBC, "Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan will preside over his last rate meeting on Tuesday before retiring after almost 19 years at the central bank's helm."

"Analysts expect interest rates to rise by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.5%, the 14th increase in a row."

"Set for a quiet farewell, the former jazz musician is leaving behind an economy that has a number of shadows hanging over it, including a large US trade deficit and a government budget deficit that may hit $400bn (£227bn) this fiscal year."

"After leaving the Fed, Mr Greenspan, who likes to mull over problems in the bath, plans to open a consultancy and may write a book."