📢 Powell Remarks: Rate Cuts Are Not Guaranteed

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that the fight against inflation is not yet complete and that future rate cuts are not assured. Monetary policy decisions will remain strictly data-dependent, with no preset timeline or automatic pivot.

Key Takeaways for Markets:

Inflation must show sustained cooling before policy easing is considered.

Strong economic data may keep interest rates higher for longer.

Weaker data could quickly revive expectations for rate cuts.

Market Implications:

Volatility is likely to remain elevated, as each CPI release, jobs report, and PCE reading carries increased significance. Investors should expect markets to react swiftly to incoming data.

Markets are watching closely — and the Fed is waiting.