Inflation edged higher in March, adding another layer of complexity to the Federal Reserve’s decision on when to potentially cut interest rates as elevated price pressures persist.

The consumer price index rose 3.5% in March compared to a year ago, according to the Labor Department. This figure exceeded February’s 3.2% rate and economists’ expectations. Core prices, which exclude volatile food and energy components, were also above forecasts at 3.8% compared to the previous year.

March marks the third consecutive month of inflation remaining well above the Fed’s preferred 2% target. Fed officials had hoped to see the figures start declining, attributing the first two high readings of the year to seasonal quirks rather than a sign of stubbornly high inflation. However, Wednesday’s report is unlikely to alleviate those concerns.

The Federal Reserve is attempting to engineer a “soft landing,” where inflation is brought back to its target without triggering a recession. Its benchmark interest rate has been elevated since last year in an effort to cool economic activity and curb inflation.

Central bankers had forecast three rate cuts at a Federal Open Markets Committee meeting earlier this year, but the timing of initiating that process is a delicate balance. Cutting rates too soon risks allowing inflation to spiral out of control, while waiting too long could risk an economic downturn.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has stated that while the Fed is confident inflation is heading in the right direction, they are not in a rush to cut rates because the economy remains healthy despite the higher rate environment. Unemployment is low, and job growth has remained strong despite the rate hikes.

“The recent data do not, however, materially change the overall picture, which continues to be one of solid growth, a strong but rebalancing labor market, and inflation moving down to 2% on a sometimes bumpy path,” Powell said at a conference last week.

Powell said a strong labor market alone would not prevent the Fed from cutting rates, but the central bank is closely monitoring economic data to determine the trajectory of the economy and inflation.

Businesses ramped up hiring in March, adding a robust 303,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate fell to 3.8%, low by historical standards. Other economic data has also shown continued economic growth.

With a strong economy, low unemployment, and persistent inflation reports, questions have arisen as to whether the Fed will need to cut rates at all this year. The central bank faces a challenge in determining the appropriate timing for potential rate cuts to balance economic growth and inflationary pressures.