Economic data in the week ahead should highlight a stumble in economic growth and a surge in inflation in the first quarter. While second quarter numbers will likely partly offset both of these trends, they will remind investors of the challenges faced by the Federal Reserve in trying to return the economy to a path of steady growth and moderate inflation. While some Fed officials have advocated very aggressive tightening, both the likelihood of near-term moderation in growth and inflation and longer-run disinflationary forces suggest it would be wiser for the Fed to take a slow and steady approach in battling inflation.

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