Says recent data showing signs of persistent inflation don’t materially change the overall picture
Officials kept their benchmark rate unchanged for a fifth straight time, slightly raised inflation forecasts
Federal Reserve officials are expected to play it safe when they meet this week
Prices rose 0.4% from January to February, higher than the previous month’s figure of 0.3%
Big banks say the so-called Basel III endgame changes would limit their ability to lend
Recent data suggest U.S. economy remains hot
Excluding volatile food and energy costs, prices in U.S. rose 0.4% from December to January
Americans have continued to consume at a solid rate
The consumer price index rose 0.3% from December to January and 3.1% from a year ago
Central bank cautioned that it “does not expect it will be appropriate” to cut rates until it has greater confidence inflation is moving sustainably to 2% target