Fed’s Powell Still Expects Rate Cuts, Isn’t Swayed by Hot Inflation Data

The Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, the core personal consumption expenditures price index, was up 2.8% from a year earlier in February, and 2.9% higher year over year in January. It has averaged a 3.1% annual increase over the past six months, after peaking at 5.6% in 2022.

Meanwhile, job growth remained strong in the first quarter, reflecting a resilient U.S. economy. The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model estimates a 2.8% annualized growth rate for real gross domestic product in the first quarter.

It will take further inflation data to show whether the January and February readings were just a bump, or a change in that longer-term trend, Powell said. In the meantime, the solid economy means the Fed can comfortably remain on hold while it waits for clearer data. The March consumer price index will be published on April 10.

“We do not expect that it will be appropriate to lower our policy rate until we have greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably down toward 2%,” Powell said. “Given the strength of the economy and progress on inflation so far, we have time to let the incoming data guide our decisions on policy.”

The Fed is still nearing a pivot toward easing monetary policy this year, Powell said, but the timing remains uncertain and depends on what the data say. He expects slowing inflation and moderating economic growth to open the door to rate cuts.

The Federal Open Market Committee has held its target range for the federal-funds rate at 5.25% to 5.5% since July 2023, a level that Powell called “tight.” Prices for interest-rate futures and Fed officials’ latest collective forecast both imply three quarter-point rate cuts this year.

Policymakers are trying to thread the needle with their next move.

“Reducing rates too soon or too much could result in a reversal of the progress we have seen on inflation and ultimately require even tighter policy to get inflation back to 2%,” Powell said. “But easing policy too late or too little could unduly weaken economic activity and employment.”

Later in his prepared remarks, Powell addressed the Fed’s independence from other branches of government—a hot topic in an election year. The central bank has a Congressionally granted dual mandate to ensure price stability and maximum employment. 

“This independence both enables and requires us to make our monetary policy decisions without consideration of short-term political matters,” Powell said. “Such independence for a federal agency is and should be rare. In the case of the Fed, independence is essential to our ability to serve the public. The record shows that independent central banks deliver better economic outcomes.”

An important part of maintaining the public’s trust, Powell said, is for the Fed to avoid so-called “mission creep” by taking positions on matters outside the dual mandate. Those include spending and tax proposals—those are in the realm of fiscal policy—trade regulations, immigration laws, and more.

“In short, doing our job well requires that we respect the limits of our mandate,” Powell said.

Write to Nicholas Jasinski at [email protected]