Powell Says , Fed Remains Reluctant to Start , Lowering Interest Rates.<br />On March 6, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell <br />said that interest rates will start to drop at <br />some point this year, without specifying when.<br />CNBC reports that Powell said policymakers <br />are closely monitoring the risks of inflation and <br />are reluctant to begin easing rates too quickly.<br />In considering any adjustments <br />to the target range for the policy <br />rate, we will carefully assess <br />the incoming data, the evolving <br />outlook, and the balance of risks. , Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.<br />The Committee does not <br />expect that it will be appropriate <br />to reduce the target range until <br />it has gained greater confidence <br />that inflation is moving <br />sustainably toward 2 percent, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.<br />According to Powell, the Fed needs <br />"a little bit more data" before <br />making a decision on rates.<br />We think because of the strength <br />in the economy and the strength <br />in the labor market and <br />the progress we’ve made, <br />we can approach that step <br />carefully and thoughtfully <br />and with greater confidence, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.<br />When we reach that confidence, <br />the expectation is we will <br />do so sometime this year. <br />We can then begin dialing back <br />that restriction on our policy, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.<br />Markets are eagerly anticipating the Fed ending its <br />aggressive rate-hiking campaign, after 11 interest <br />rate increases between March 2022 and July 2023.<br />Longer-term inflation expectations <br />appear to have remained well <br />anchored, as reflected by <br />a broad range of surveys of <br />households, businesses, and <br />forecasters, as well as measures <br />from financial markets, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.<br />Longer-term inflation expectations <br />appear to have remained well <br />anchored, as reflected by <br />a broad range of surveys of <br />households, businesses, and <br />forecasters, as well as measures <br />from financial markets, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, via CNBC.<br />CNBC reports that Powell is scheduled for a two-day visit <br />to Capitol Hill this week, beginning with a March 6 <br />meeting with the House Financial Services Committee.
