Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, in his recent congressional testimony, acknowledged progress in curbing inflation but emphasized the need for more consistent data before considering interest rate cuts. While expressing some confidence in inflation’s downward trend, Powell remains cautious about declaring it sustainably approaching the Fed’s 2% target. He highlighted the delicate balance between addressing inflation and maintaining employment, noting that the risks of acting too quickly or too slowly on rate adjustments are now more evenly balanced. Powell’s stance suggests a cautious approach to monetary policy changes, with the Fed closely monitoring economic indicators before making any decisions on rate cuts.