Fresh inflation data released Wednesday is likely to keep the Federal Reserve on pause during its next policy meeting this month, even though a new reading did show some signs of easing.

In the wake of Wednesday's official report on consumer prices, three officials who set the nation's monetary policy said they're confident the inflation rate will someday fall to typical pre-pandemic levels.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams voiced confidence that inflation would continue to recede after a report on consumer prices came in better than expected, without offering any hints on the timing of additional interest-rate cuts.

The economy is in a very good place and has returned to balance, as have the risks to the two sides of our mandate,” Williams said.