Federal Reserve Signals Rate Cuts as Powell Acknowledges Shifting Economic Priorities
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered his clearest signal yet that rate cuts are approaching, acknowledging rising unemployment risks alongside cooling inflation. The shift in tone sparked immediate market enthusiasm, with investors anticipating potential parabolic moves in the fourth quarter.
In a significant departure from his typically cautious communication style, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered what markets interpreted as the strongest signal yet that monetary policy easing is on the horizon. During his Tuesday address to the National Association for Business Economics, Powell acknowledged mounting “downside risks to unemployment” while suggesting the central bank may need to move toward a more neutral policy stance.