But if inflation continues to inch upward, the central bank may decide it needs to leave rates high to avoid a repeat of runaway inflation. Inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022 before slowly making its way back down closer to the Fed's target range of 2%.

Stocks finished lower on Thursday, with another afternoon selloff tied to a jump in Treasury bond yields, this time linked to hawkish comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Speaki

Ongoing economic growth, a solid job market, and inflation that remains above the 2% target means the U.S. central bank does not need to rush to lower interest rates and can deliberate carefully, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Thursday.