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%.

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.

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