- Jerome Powell is delivering his bi-annual testimony in front of the US Senate.
- Fed Chair presents the Monetary Policy Report before the Q&A session with senators.
- US Dollar, stock markets and all asset classes could be on the move with Powell’s words.
Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve System, is delivering his written testimony speech in front of the US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Powell delivered a notably hawkish testimony, mentioning that the Fed is “prepared to increase the pace of interest rate hikes” to help inflation return to the 2% target. The US Dollar is gaining ground across the board after these remarks, while US stock markets, most major currency counterparts and Gold price are all losing around 1% on the day:
Read full Jerome Powell testimony in the US Senate
After reading his testimony, Powell is answering questions from the US senators.
You can follow the Federal Reserve chair’s remarks live in the following video:
These are Powell Q&A session with US senators main takeaways:
Nothing about data suggests we’ve tightened too much
“Nothing about data suggests we’ve tightened too much; rather suggests we have more work to do.”
“Data so far suggests we’ll have a higher terminal rate in our next Summary of Economic Projections.”
“Inflation is extremely high and hurting working people of this country badly.”
“We are taking only measures we have to bring inflation down.”
“Working people will not be better off if we don’t get inflation down.”
Carefully monitoring small and medium size banks’ exposure to commercial real estate
“Not big spike in business debt generally.”
“However, there are pockets of concern including upcoming refinancing.”
“We are watching that carefully.”
“In terms of commercial real estate, occupancy of office space is remarkably low.”
“Over time that space will be changed into condos.”
“Most big banks though don’t have a lot of exposure to commercial real estate.”
“We carefully monitor small and medium size banks’ exposure to commercial real estate.”
“Fed is very strongly committed to tailoring regulations for banks.”
Wages have been moderating without softening in labor market
“We are seeing goods inflation coming down for some time now.”
“Housing services inflation coming down is in the pipeline for the next 6–12 months.”
“But core services ex-housing is where the challenge is now.”
“We can’t impact that sector without affecting others.”
“Our tools are powerful but blunt.”
“Wages have been moderating without softening in labor market.”
“We have many unusual factors affecting inflation and we don’t think anyone knows how this is going to play out.”
“We’ll be watching broader services sector very carefully.”
“We have not seen full effects of rate hikes yet.”
“We are watching carefully for the lags in monetary policy coming into play; will take that into account for rate hikes.”
“We are very focused on core inflation.”
We are trying to create disinflation
“Congress needs to raise the debt ceiling.”
“Failing to do so, the consequences could be extraordinarily adverse and do longstanding harm.”
“Fed will do what it can to restore price stability while preserving maximum employment.”
“Fed is not in conflict right now on its dual mandate.”
“There could be a time when our mandates are in conflict.”
“We are very far from price stability mandate.”
“We are not trying to raise the unemployment rate.”
“We are trying to realign supply and demand through a bunch of channels including job openings.”
“We are trying to create disinflation.”
Core inflation has not come down as fast as we hoped
“There is mismatch between supply and demand; we still see that in the goods sector, you also see it in the labor market.”
“We will keep capital requirements strong.”
“We have the tools to get inflation down over time.”
“We will achieve 2% inflation goal.”
“Core inflation has not come down as fast as we hoped, has a long way to go.”
Powell sees little signs of disinflation, delivers hawkish testimony
“If totality of incoming data indicates faster tightening is warranted, we are prepared to increase pace of rate hikes.”
“Ultimate level of interest rates likely to be higher than previously anticipated.”
“Will continue to make our decisions meeting by meeting, based on totality of incoming data and implications for outlook for growth and inflation.”
“Some of strength in overall January data likely reflects unseasonably warm weather.”
“Little sign of disinflation so far in core services excluding housing.”
“To get inflation back down to 2% need lower inflation in core services ex housing and very likely some softening in labor market.”
“Ongoing increases in policy rate likely appropriate in order for stance to be sufficiently restrictive to get inflation back to 2% over time.”
“Long way to go on getting inflation back down, road likely to be bumpy.”
“We still stay the course until job is done.”
About Jerome Powell (via Federalreserve.gov)
“Jerome H. Powell first took office as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on February 5, 2018, for a four-year term. He was reappointed to the office and sworn in for a second four-year term on May 23, 2022. Mr. Powell also serves as Chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee, the System’s principal monetary policymaking body. Mr. Powell has served as a member of the Board of Governors since taking office on May 25, 2012, to fill an unexpired term. He was reappointed to the Board and sworn in on June 16, 2014, for a term ending January 31, 2028.”
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Jerome Powell, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, delivered a speech to Congress this week expressing concerns over the unwavering strength of the US economy. Powell painted a somewhat hawkish picture, noting that the Federal Reserve is planning further increases to domestic interest rates in order to keep the economy in check.
It has been well characterized that the US economy is robust and growing with unemployment figures lower than they have been in several years. This can be credited in large part to President Trump’s tax reform bill that was passed in 2017. While the President has been touting this success as a major victory, many economists are worried that the growth is too strong and inflation could become an issue.
Powell’s speech seemed to echo this sentiment, indicating that the Federal Reserve should act to keep the US economy in check. To do this, the Fed is looking to raise domestic interest rates in the coming months. This would help to slow economic growth down and, in turn, keep inflation from taking off.
Powell was also quick to point out that the economy is “increasingly healthy” and that the Fed is taking a “balanced approach.” This means that although the Fed is concerned about potential inflationary consequences, it is also aware of the threat of slowing economic growth.
The Fed Chairman’s plan for rate hikes did not sit well with many leaders in the US Congress. Several representatives expressed fears that higher interest rates could have a negative impact on homeowners and small businesses. Powell was quick to point out that the hikes would be gradual and that the Fed would be keeping an eye on the situation to ensure that economic growth is not stifled too much.
Powell’s more hawkish outlook certainly made headlines, but the Fed Chairman did express support for the strong US economy. The Federal Reserve wants to keep the US economy on track and it seems that in order to do so, further rate hikes are inevitable.
