ETO外汇：美联邦住房金融局局长发声，美联储，是时候降息了

Group 1 - The Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, William Pulte, publicly urged Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to restart the interest rate cut cycle to alleviate pressure on the housing market [1] - Pulte emphasized that lowering interest rates would directly improve homebuyer affordability and inject much-needed liquidity into the stagnant housing market [1] - The Trump administration has consistently pressured the Federal Reserve to lower borrowing costs, linking tight monetary policy with trade protectionism that suppresses economic vitality [3] Group 2 - Economists point out that the underlying issues in the U.S. housing market stem from structural contradictions, including a growing housing inventory gap and limited new home construction due to rising material costs and labor shortages [3] - The National Association of Home Builders reported that the cost of single-family home construction has increased by 37% compared to 2020 [3] - Over 60% of retail businesses plan to raise end prices in the coming quarters to pass on the cost pressures from tariffs, indicating a cost-push inflation scenario [3] Group 3 - The Federal Reserve has maintained its policy stance despite political pressure, keeping the interest rate range at 4.25%-4.5% after a cumulative cut of 100 basis points in the second half of 2024 [4] - Powell stated that monetary policy will not yield to short-term political considerations, emphasizing the need for strategic consistency amid economic uncertainties caused by tariff disputes [4] - The combination of rising construction costs and labor shortages, along with tariff-induced price increases, poses a dual pressure on the housing market, complicating the Fed's ability to achieve its 2% inflation target [4]