Powell: Some people feel we should stop here and wait

POWELL: EFFECTS OF RATE CUTS SO FAR ONLY BEGINING TO BE COMING IN Fed's Powell: We will need to be careful assessing household jobs data. FED POWELL: DATA WAS NOT COLLECTED IN OCT AND HALF OF NOV, SO THE FED WILL LOOK AT IT WITH A SKEPTICAL EYE, INCLUDING CPI AND HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS, WHICH MAY BE DISTORTED BY TECHNICAL FACTORS. POWELL: I COULD MAKE THE CASE FOR EITHER SIDE POWELL: IT'S A CLOSE CALL POWELL: ONE TOOL CAN'T DO TWO THINGS AT ONCE POWELL: IT'S A CHALLENGING SITUATION POWELL: I DON'T THINK A RATE HIKE IS ANYONE'S BASE CASE

Fed's Powell: Implication of Fed forecasts is higher productivity. POWELL: OUR TWO GOALS ARE A BIT IN TENSION POWELL: EVERYONE AT TABLE AGREES INFLATION IS TOO HIGH Fed's Powell: All agree the labour market has softened, and there are further risks. FED POWELL: DISCUSSIONS ARE THOUGHTFUL AND RESPECTFUL WITH STRONG VIEWS, BUT WE COME TOGETHER TO REACH DECISIONS, AND THERE WAS BROAD SUPPORT FOR TODAY’S DECISION.

POWELL: WELL POSITIONED TO WAIT TO SEE HOW ECONOMY EVOLVES Fed's Powell: The "extent and timing" phrase points out that we'll carefully evaluate incoming data. FED POWELL: CONSUMER SPENDING REMAINS RESILIENT, AI DATA-CENTER INVESTMENT IS SUPPORTING BUSINESS SPENDING, AND THE BASELINE OUTLOOK SEES GROWTH PICKING UP NEXT YEAR. Fed's Powell: Some of the 2026 growth upgrade reflects the shutdown ending. POWELL: WILL GET A GREAT DEAL OF DATA BEFORE JANUARY MEETING

*POWELL: GRADUAL LABOR MARKET COOLING JUSTIFIED RATE CUT TODAY Fed's Powell: We think there's a negative 20,000 in payrolls per month. ?*POWELL: WE THINK JOB GAINS OVERSTATED BY 60K IN RECENT MONTHS Fed's Powell: Evidence is growing that services inflation has come down, and goods inflation is entirely due to tariffs. Fed's Powell: Inflation has come in a touch lower.

POWELL: DOESNT FEEL LIKE A HOT ECONOMY Fed's Powell: The tick up in the Fed funds rate says we're at ample reserves. Fed's Powell: We got to ample reserves a little faster than we had thought we would. Fed's Powell: Frontloading next few months of purchases to get through tax season. FED POWELL: WHEN BOTH GOALS ARE EQUALLY AT RISK, POLICY SHOULD BE AT NEUTRAL.

POWELL: HAVENT MADE A DECISION ON JANUARY Fed's Powell: We're now in the high end of the range for neutral. Fed's Powell: If no new tariff announcements, inflation from goods should peak in Q1. Fed's Powell: From here, the peak should be a couple of tenths higher, or less, on inflation. Fed's Powell: Inflation compensation at very comfortable levels.