**[Analyst: Strong Employment Data "Locks Out" Rate Cut Possibility]** BlockBeats 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 interest rates in the coming months. The reason lies in stronger-than-expected labor data released earlier this week—January saw an addition of 130,000 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. "The Federal Reserve simply cannot cut rates right now, especially since the economy has just created six-figure job numbers." Weinand expects the Senate to confirm Waller to replace Powell as the Federal Reserve Chair but doubts whether he can build consensus on rate cuts. "We are unlikely to 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. (Jin10)