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All eyes on Jerome Powell's speech in his first public appearance since the September rate cut

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  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, October 14th 2025 at 10:47 GMT by The Financial Express

Jerome Powell’s First Post‑September Speech Draws Global Focus

Investors and policymakers around the world were on high alert when Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered his first public address since the September 2024 rate‑cut meeting. The speech, delivered at the Bank of England’s London headquarters, aimed to clarify the Fed’s stance on inflation, rates and the broader financial system, and it sent ripples across global markets.

A Data‑Dependent Path Forward

Powell opened by underscoring the Fed’s “data‑dependent” approach, noting that while the September cut of 25 basis points had been a necessary step, the central bank remains far from the point where inflation has peaked. He reaffirmed the Fed’s commitment to achieving the 2 % inflation target, stressing that the “policy should remain firmly in the realm of a 25‑basis‑point reduction, but we are not in a position to commit to a specific path.” This cautious tone echoed remarks from Fed officials on the sidelines of the Fed’s 21‑st Annual Meeting, where Governor Lael Brainard reiterated that “inflation is still stubbornly high” and that further cuts would hinge on data.

Market Reactions

The markets reacted almost immediately. The U.S. Treasury yield curve shifted upward, with the 10‑year yield climbing from 4.12 % to 4.18 % in the minutes following Powell’s remarks. Investors responded by selling the U.S. equity index, with the S&P 500 slipping 0.7 % in the first trading session after the speech. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar strengthened, buoyed by the Fed’s cautious stance on future cuts.

Global equity markets also felt the impact. The Nikkei Index dropped 0.4 % as Japanese investors assessed the implications for the Bank of Japan’s policy. The Euro fell 0.5 % as European investors weighed the Fed’s stance against the European Central Bank’s plan to keep rates unchanged until the end of the year.

Implications for Inflation and Growth

Powell’s speech reinforced the view that the U.S. economy remains strong but inflationary pressures persist. “We are still far from the point where the inflation outlook looks fully under control,” he said. The Fed’s latest inflation data, released just days before the speech, shows the headline CPI at 3.1 % year‑over‑year, slightly above the Fed’s 2 % target. Powell acknowledged that “there has been a decline in inflation over the past few months, but the trajectory remains uncertain.”

The Fed’s policy committee, as highlighted in the September minutes, has split into two camps: one group favoring aggressive cuts if inflation falters, and another urging caution. Powell’s speech leans toward the latter, suggesting that any future cuts will be “measured and data‑driven.”

Financial Stability and Systemic Risk

Beyond rates, Powell touched on the Fed’s broader responsibilities. He highlighted the 2023 stress‑tests for large banks, noting that “all institutions passed the current scenario with a healthy margin of safety.” He also emphasized that the Fed’s oversight of the mortgage market remains a priority, particularly given rising housing prices and potential housing‑market instability.

Linking to Related Coverage

The article drew on several external sources for context:

• A Reuters piece on Powell’s speech, which noted the Fed’s emphasis on “inflation risk and monetary policy flexibility.” The Reuters article also highlighted the Fed’s policy decision in September, where a 25‑basis‑point cut was announced as the “first of several measures” to tackle inflation.

• Bloomberg’s analysis of the U.S. Treasury market’s reaction to the speech, which identified a shift toward higher risk‑averse assets following Powell’s cautionary tone.

• The Fed’s own press release from September, which documented the policy change and the rationale behind the rate cut, emphasizing the need to “balance the dual mandate” of maximum employment and price stability.

Looking Ahead

The Fed’s next policy meeting is scheduled for November, and Powell’s speech leaves a clear message: the central bank will not rush into aggressive cuts but will remain vigilant. Investors will be watching for any signs that inflation may be easing, as well as any new data that could shift the policy committee’s consensus. Meanwhile, global markets continue to adjust to the Fed’s signals, with implications for currency valuations, equity performance and interest‑rate expectations across continents.

In sum, Jerome Powell’s address served as a key barometer of the Fed’s outlook. His emphasis on data dependence, cautious rate cuts and inflation resilience provides a roadmap for policymakers, investors and market participants as the U.S. economy navigates the next phases of its recovery.