Opinion: Three FOMC Members May Prefer to Keep Interest Rates Unchanged in This Fed Meeting

On September 18th, Federal Reserve Chairman Powell stressed that, considering the signs indicating that the labor market is indeed "cooling down" and with a renewed emphasis on long-term inflation, the Fed is inclined to achieve "maximum employment" within its dual mandate. He noted that since April, the persistent risk of high inflation has somewhat subsided, partly due to the slowdown in job growth. The basic assumption of the Fed is that the impact of tariffs on inflation may be transient. On the other hand, the downside risks to the labor market have increased, and the addition of new jobs appears to be below the so-called "breakeven rate" required to maintain the unemployment rate. (FX168)

On September 18th, Federal Reserve Chairman Powell stated that there was no broad consensus for a larger, 50-basis-point rate cut during this week's meeting following the Fed's previous 25-basis-point rate cut. "At present, there was no broad support for a 50-basis-point rate cut," Powell told reporters at a press conference. "You know...over the past five years, we have carried out very large rate hikes and cuts. This usually occurs when policy is significantly out of line and needs to quickly move to a new level." (Golden Finance)

On September 18th, based on market data, during Powell's speech, the US stock market index continued to decline. The Nasdaq fell by 1%, the S&P 500 dropped by 0.6%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up by 0.05%. The cryptocurrency market also generally experienced a decline, including: Coinbase (COIN) decreased by 3.72%. Circle (CRCL) went down by 3.61%. MicroStrategy (MSTR) fell by 2.52%. Bullish (BLSH) rose by 4.88%. Bitmine (BMNR) decreased by 2.77%. SharpLink Gaming (SBET) dropped by 2.18%. BTCS (BTCS) went down by 2.69%. BNB Network Company (BNC) decreased by 9.33%. ALT5 Sigma (ALTS) fell by 0.68%. American Bitcoin (ABTC) decreased by 2.72%. Eightco Holdings (ORBS, formerly OCTO) decreased by 7.02%. Newly listed Gemini (GEMI) decreased by 14.58%. Newly listed Figure (FIGR) dropped by 5.66%.

On September 18th - Spot gold kept declining while Powell was giving a speech. It dropped by more than 1% intraday, broke through $3650 per ounce, and retracted nearly $60 from its high. (FX678)

On September 18th, Federal Reserve Chairman Powell stated that there was no broad support for a 50-basis-point rate cut at present. And today's rate cut can be regarded as a risk mitigation rate cut. (Xinhua News Agency)

On September 18th, based on market data, the S&P 500 Index continued to decline. The latest decrease was 0.4%. The Nasdaq Index fell by 0.8%.