Fed stays ‘patient’ but voices new low inflation concerns

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve is reiterating that it will be “patient” in raising rates from record lows but is signaling greater concern about excessively low inflation.

In a statement after its latest policy meeting, the Fed notes that inflation remains well below its 2 percent target. And it says the factors holding down inflation have intensified since its last meeting in December. Inflation has stayed ultra-low partly because of a plunge in energy prices and a steadily strengthening dollar.

The Fed says that inflation will likely decline further before starting to rise gradually.

The Fed’s new concerns about low inflation could affect when it decides to raise its key short-term rate from near zero. Many economists have forecast a Fed rate hike in June but some have pushed back that timetable.

BY MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer