Fed to hold rates steady as inflation dims hopes for policy easing

WASHINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - U.S. central bank officials will conclude their latest two-day policy meeting on Wednesday with a new statement and comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell that could give a clearer sense of how recent disappointing inflation readings have changed the expectation for interest rate cuts this year. The Fed is almost certain to hold its benchmark overnight interest rate steady, with investors placing nearly a 100% probability on that outcome and no support for any changes to the policy rate offered by officials ahead of...