Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has declared that the U.S. labor market has achieved balance, marking a significant shift from the past three years when a tight job market was cited as a reason for maintaining high interest rates. This change in stance suggests that the Fed no longer views the labor market as a primary source of inflationary pressure. The cooling job market, evidenced by more concentrated hiring in specific sectors like healthcare and government, may now support the case for potential interest rate cuts in the near future. This development indicates that the Fed is reassessing its policy approach, considering both inflation risks and the potential negative impacts of prolonged high rates on the economy.