The federal funds rate is a benchmark that influences other interest rates throughout the economy. The Federal Reserve doesn't control the federal funds rate directly. Instead, it uses various monetary policy tools to steer the benchmark toward a target range, which is currently 4.75% to 5%.

HSBC Holdings said it was cutting its best lending rate in Hong Kong by 25 basis points to 5.625% from 5.875% effective Sept. 20. That followed a 50 basis points cut in the base rate charged through the overnight discount window of the city's de facto central bank.