美联储转向迷雾：谨慎与博弈中的货币政策抉择

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve is at a critical juncture regarding its monetary policy, with mixed signals from officials reflecting a deep examination of economic data and awareness of risk factors [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Divergence - There is significant division within the Federal Reserve regarding the urgency of interest rate cuts, with some officials advocating for a July cut while others, including Powell and Williams, oppose it [2]. - Officials emphasize the need to observe several months of data to assess the impact of tariffs on inflation, noting the persistent risk of sticky inflation despite a recent drop in April's inflation data [2][3]. - Most officials are targeting action in the fall, preferring a data-driven approach to monetary policy adjustments rather than responding to political pressure [2]. Group 2: Economic Indicators - The U.S. economy experienced a contraction in Q1, with GDP declining at an annualized rate of 0.5%, reversing previous growth expectations [3]. - The trade deficit unexpectedly widened to $96.6 billion in May, driven by a 5.2% drop in exports, particularly in industrial goods like crude oil [3]. - The preferred inflation measure, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, fell to 2.1% in April, with expectations for a slight increase to 2.3% in May due to rising import costs being passed to consumers [3]. Group 3: Political Dynamics - President Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Powell's leadership and is considering early nominations for the next Fed chair, although current plans indicate no immediate changes [4][5]. - The Chicago Fed President emphasized that any potential changes in leadership would not affect current monetary policy, reinforcing the Fed's commitment to its independent decision-making process [5]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The Fed is closely monitoring upcoming economic data, including June's non-farm payrolls and Q2 GDP, with a potential interest rate cut in September if core PCE falls near 2% and unemployment does not worsen significantly [6]. - Market expectations suggest three rate cuts this year, with a 75% probability for a September cut, while July's cut is seen as less likely [6]. - The Fed's challenge lies in balancing the need to support economic growth and employment while managing inflation risks, particularly in light of rising unemployment claims and sticky core inflation [8].