"Inflation is stuck above target and risks are skewed to the upside. Economic activity is robust. We see little reason for additional easing."

The U.S. job market again defied an anticipated slowdown, with firms adding more than a quarter of a million jobs in the last full month of Joe Biden's presidency and leaving Federal Reserve policymakers to puzzle over the need for more interest rate cuts in a strong economy.

The Fed is likely done cutting rates amid robust economic activity and can now eye a hike if core PCE or long-term inflation expectations rise, BofA says.