đ„ Market Recap: Powellâs Balancing Act
In his October 14 address at the National Association for Business Economics, Fed Chair Jerome Powell struck a careful tone â signaling confidence in the U.S. economyâs resilience while acknowledging cracks in the labor market.
đ Key Takeaways:
Economy: âOn a firmer footing,â but growth remains uneven.
Labor Market: Hiring and firing both at historic lows â a sign of business caution.
Inflation: Still above the 2% target, keeping the Fed alert.
Balance Sheet: Powell hinted that quantitative tightening may soon pause as liquidity tightens.
Policy Outlook: âNo risk-free pathâ â rate decisions will stay data-dependent, made meeting by meeting.
đŹ Market Reaction:
Powellâs remarks were interpreted as slightly dovish, fueling expectations of a modest rate cut later this quarter. Still, the tone was measured, prioritizing stability over speed.
đŻ The Big Question:
Can the U.S. economy stay strong amid soft hiring and higher borrowing costs?
Powellâs message was clear â the Fed is nearing the end of tightening, but flexibility remains the guiding principle.


#FederalReserve #Powell #Inflationdata #economy #interestrates #MarketUpdate