Fed's low interest rate pledge boosts markets Associated Press Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 11:22 a.m., Thursday, January 26, 2012 The Fed cut rates to near zero in December 2008 during the financial crisis and has held them there ever since. "With the FOMC sending out a strong signal that monetary policy is likely to remain accommodative for even longer than previously expected, risk assets are in a very good position," said Stan Shamu of IG Markets in Melbourne. Orders to U.S.