Powell’s December Warning Exposes Hardening Divisions at Fed

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s blunt warning that investors need to rein in expectations for a December interest-rate cut underscored a growing tug-of-war among US policymakers who are opposed in their outlooks for jobs and inflation.

While Powell made it clear that the primary concern for some is a cooling job market, others inside the Fed are warning persistent inflation will limit room for more easing. And a freeze on the release of official economic data during the ongoing government shutdown is only hardening the divide.

Powell’s comments came after the Federal Open Market Committee voted 10-2 to lower ...