WRAPUP 6-Fed maintains strong stimulus as U.S. growth stumbles

* Monthly bond purchases of $85 bln extended * Fed makes no change to forward guidance on rates * Fed acknowledges slowdown in housing market By Pedro da Costa and Alister Bull WASHINGTON, Oct 30 (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve extended its support for a soft U.S. economy on Wednesday, sounding a bit less optimistic about growth as it announced plans to keep buying $85 billion in bonds per month. In announcing the decision, the Fed nodded to weaker economic signals that have