#PowellRemarks Here’s a refined summary of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s latest remarks (June 18–19, 2025):

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🏦 1. Maintaining a Cautious Stance

Powell confirmed that the Fed held interest rates steady at ~4.3%, opting for a "wait-and-see" approach to assess inflation and economic data before any cuts .

He emphasized that the timeframe for the next rate cuts is unclear, with markets pricing in two cuts this year—but the Fed is now signaling the possibility of just one or even none depending on data .

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💹 2. Inflation & Tariff Concerns

Powell warned that new tariffs could raise consumer prices over the summer, contributing to persistent inflation pressures .

He expressed concern about rising “stagflation risk” and noted that the Fed has revised 2025 GDP growth lower (to ~1.4%) and sees core PCE inflation steadying near 3.1% .

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📊 3. Economic Data & Forecast Uncertainty

Describing the outlook as “foggy,” Powell highlighted the importance of robust data collection to guide monetary policy—flagging budget cuts at agencies like the BLS as a threat to timely and accurate information .

He pointed to internal Fed divisions (“dot plot”) over future rate moves, underscoring the uncertainty around the economic path