[Analyst: Strong Employment Data 'Locks Out' Rate Cut Possibility, Fed Likely to Hold Steady This Year] Jin10 News, February 13 – Regan Capital analyst Skyler Weinand stated that weak U.S. inflation data for January does not increase the likelihood of the Federal Reserve cutting rates in the coming months. This is because labor market data released earlier this week exceeded expectations—January saw 130,000 new jobs added, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. The Fed 'simply cannot cut rates right now, especially since the economy just created six-figure job numbers.' Weinand expects the Senate to confirm Waller to replace Powell as Fed Chair but doubts whether he can build consensus on rate cuts. 'We may not see any changes to the Fed's policy rate this year.' The CME FedWatch Tool shows that investors are currently pricing in at least two rate cuts this year.