U.S. stocks erase gains in final hour of trade after minutes show Fed officials expect banking crisis to cause economic slowdown this year

U.S. stock indexes erased earlier gains in the final hour of trade Wednesday after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s March policy meeting showed policymakers agreed that the stress in the banking sector would slow U.S. economic growth. Investors also assessed a March consumer price index report which shows inflation slowing, though still elevated.

How stock indexes are trading

On Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 98 points, or 0.29%, to 33,685, the S&P 500 closed less than a point lower at 4,108.94,…