Fed Seen Holding Rates Steady in March Despite Recession Worries
• Federal Reserve unlikely to cut interest rates at upcoming March 19-20 policy meeting despite recession fears • Inflation proving more stubborn than expected based on latest CPI and PPI reports • Labor market strength gives Fed leeway to hold off on rate cuts a bit longer • Wall Street hoping for rate cuts in June or July to avoid economic contraction • Fed Chair Jerome Powell waiting for more data showing inflation moving toward 2% target before cutting rates