The Federal Reserve kept Fed watchers waiting and guessing about the timing of interest rate hikes Tuesday as it did predictably left the short-term interest rates it controls unchanged. The Fed gave analysts very little new to chew on in announcing the Federal Open Market Committee's decision to leave the federal funds rate at 1.75% and to keep its "balanced" statement of risks. The FOMC reiterated that, notwithstanding the inventory-led recovery, final demand remains "uncertain." The Fed gave no indication it is preparing to raise the rate any time soon. Now forecasts of higher rates have significantly receded. The discount rate was kept at 1.25%.