Top Fed officials back March liftoff as consensus takes shape

Two top Federal Reserve officials backed raising interest rates in March to curb the hottest inflation in 40 years and starting to shrink their bloated balance-sheet in coming months, signaling a consensus against more hawkish action. 

The remarks on Friday by Governor Lael Brainard and New York Fed President John Williams, as well as Chicago Fed chief Charles Evans, showed officials eager to get tightening under way, without seeking a supersized interest-rate hike or a move before the next scheduled meeting.

“Given we have seen quite strong data, I do anticipate it will be appropriate at our next meeting to initiate a