Analysis-Inflation-focused Fed shoots down Wall Street’s hopes of March cut

Investors hoping for imminent rate cuts by the Federal Reserve received a sobering reminder of the U.S. central bank’s focus on fighting inflation, after Chairman Jerome Powell poured cold water on bets policymakers would lower borrowing costs in March. At the end of the central bank's first monetary policy meeting of the year on Wednesday, Powell said inflation that is still running above the Fed's target would likely prevent policymakers from lowering rates at its next meeting in March, dashing some investors' hopes. Some market participants downplayed the significance of a delay, saying a continued cooling trend in consumer prices and steady growth were more important than the timing of the first cut.