Investors Await Fed Chair Powell's Inflation Signals Amid Market Uncertainty

According to BlockBeats, as the Federal Reserve's two-day meeting begins on January 28, investors have come to terms with the likelihood that the Fed will not cut interest rates this time. However, with the stock market at a fragile point, they are keenly observing any signals from Fed Chair Jerome Powell regarding the direction of inflation. John Belton, a portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, emphasized the importance of Powell's tone on inflation for Wall Street. Traders need assurance that price pressures are continuing to ease, as there is a potential for unforeseen economic disruptions. Swap contracts indicate that traders expect the Federal Reserve to pause rate cuts, but the duration of this pause remains uncertain. This uncertainty makes Powell's tone during the press conference following the rate decision on Wednesday afternoon, local time, particularly significant. If Powell exhibits caution and refrains from making firm commitments, it would be uncharacteristic of him, yet Wall Street professionals will be attentive to any hints in his wording or tone that reveal his thoughts.