Fed to strike upbeat note on economy

Focused on keeping the recovery going and driving down double-digit unemployment, the Federal Reserve is poised to leave interest rates at a record low.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues, at the end of their two-day meeting Wednesday afternoon, will likely to strike an upbeat note about the progress the economy is making. But they'll also caution that now is not the time to be complacent against risks.

Signs are growing that the economy is on the mend. Consumers and businesses are spending again. The housing market is stabilizing. Manufacturing is growing. And layoffs are moderating.