{"content":"🚨In his October 14 address at the National Association for Business Economics, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the U.S. economy is on a “firmer footing” than expected-but the labour market remains weak. Hiring and firing are both near historic lows, showing businesses are cautious and growth uneven. Powell admitted the Fed’s balance-sheet reduction may be nearing its end as liquidity tightens, hinting at a possible pause in quantitative tightening. He emphasized that inflation, though slower, is still above the Fed’s 2 percent goal. Powell made it clear: there is “no risk-free path.” The central bank will move carefully, one meeting at a time, adjusting rates only when data support it. With inflation sticky and jobs softening, the Fed faces a dilemma-cut too soon and risk reigniting inflation, wait too long and risk deeper slowdown. Markets interpreted his remarks as slightly dovish, expecting another modest rate cut later this quarter. Still, Powell’s tone was measured-signalling caution, not surrender. The focus remains stability over speed. As the Fed edges toward the end of its tightening cycle, investors are watching for clarity: How long can the economy stay resilient with limited hiring and higher borrowing costs? October’s speech leaves the message clear-monetary policy will stay flexible, not reckless.","images":["https://d35imkjvkj28kt.cloudfront.net/uploadfile/article/blog/2025102025/10/19/1e5c59aeea646cfb13ba5a2484354019.jpg"],"tags":[],"tradingPairs":[],"quotearticleid":0}