Powell Mentions Reason Behind Fed Rate Cut
(MENAFN) US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated on Tuesday that recent weakness in the labor market prompted the Fed’s latest interest rate reduction, noting that the risks from a slowing job market outweighed concerns about inflation.
"Near-term risks to inflation are tilted to the upside and risks to employment to the downside – a challenging situation," Powell remarked during a speech to business leaders in Rhode Island. “Two-sided risks mean that there is no risk-free path.”
The central bank’s first rate cut of the year occurred last week following signs of a cooling labor market and evidence that short-term effects from higher tariffs have contributed to rising inflation.
Powell emphasized that the Fed’s responsibility in such circumstances is to "balance both sides of our dual mandate" of maintaining low unemployment and stable prices.
The chair expressed confidence in the Fed’s current policy direction, while also leaving open the possibility of additional cuts if the central bank finds it necessary to adopt a more accommodative stance.
“The increased downside risks to employment have shifted the balance of risks to achieving our goals,” Powell explained.
“This policy stance, which I see as still modestly restrictive, leaves us well positioned to respond to potential economic developments.”
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