Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell expressed increased confidence that inflation is moving towards the 2% target, citing recent positive data. While declining to specify a timeline for rate cuts, Powell indicated that the Fed would likely reduce rates before inflation actually reaches 2%. This stance, along with recent favorable inflation reports, has bolstered market expectations for potential rate cuts later in 2024, with September being a widely anticipated timeframe. Powell’s comments suggest a cautiously optimistic outlook on inflation trends, potentially signaling a shift in the Fed’s monetary policy approach in the coming months.