Inflation and Jobs Data Put Fed Rate Cut Timing in Focus
• Consumer price index report on Thursday expected to show inflation remaining steady around 3% annually
• Jobs report showing wage growth has kept focus on inflation trends early in 2023
• Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates as early as March, though jobs report has challenged that view
• Monthly federal budget deficit still running high, could creep up from $1.7 trillion gap in 2022
• Producer price index on Friday also expected to show wholesale inflation steadying around 2% annually