Powell Suggests Fed Will Cut Rates Before Inflation Hits 2%
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced Monday that the central bank does not plan to wait for inflation to hit 2% before cutting interest rates. In a speech at the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., Powell noted that central bank policies have “long and variable lags,” justifying why the Fed will not delay action until it reaches its target. “If you’re waiting for inflation to hit 2%, you’ve probably waited too long, as the current tightening could push inflation below that threshold,” Powell said. Instead, the Fed is aiming for “greater confidence” that inflation will return to 2%, he added. “The improved inflation data we’ve seen recently reinforces that confidence,” Powell said. He also said a “hard landing” for the U.S. economy is unlikely.
Monday marked Powell’s first publi...