Waller on Friday said current U.S. inflation trends “are pretty good,” with the annual rise in consumer prices close to the Fed’s 2% target, possibly justifying an interest-rate cut at the bank’s next meeting. He is the first top Fed official to suggest a rate reduction is feasible at that July 29-30 gathering.

By Howard Schneider WASHINGTON -The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday and policymakers signaled borrowing costs are still likely to fall this year, but slowed the overall pace of expected future rate cuts in the face of estimated higher inflation flowing from the Trump administration's tariff plans.