(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 18 mar - US shares were trading lower at midday as investors digested hotter-than-expected inflation data and the Federal Reserve's decision to leave rates unchanged.

'The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 31/2 to 33/4 percent,' the Fed said in a statement. The central bank noted that 'the implications of developments in the Middle East for the US economy are uncertain.' With energy prices on the rise due to the war in Iran, investors fear the US central bank may opt to keep rates steadier for longer to head off the threat of inflation.

Earlier today, data showed that US producer prices rose 0.7%, on an adjusted basis, month on month in February, while economists were expecting a 0.3% increase.

Crude was once again higher after Israel attacked Iran's largest gas processing facility in the Bushehr Province.

While Tehran threatened attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Also on the data front, US factory orders rose 0.1% month on month to 620.1 billion dollars in January, matching expectations, the US Census bureau said.

At 1831 GMT, the Dow Jones was down 454.45 points, or 0.97%, at 46,538.86 points.

The S&P 500 was 45.72 points, or 0.68%, lower at 6,670.37 points.

The Nasdaq was losing 156.26 points, or 0.70%, at 22,322.59.

points.

(RADIOCOR) 18-03-26 19:51:08 (0670) 5 NNNN