美联储五度"按兵不动"：通胀粘性下的货币政策困局与全球经济信号

Group 1 - The Federal Reserve has maintained the federal funds rate at 5.25%-5.5% for the fifth consecutive time since September of the previous year, indicating a cautious approach amid persistent inflation and declining consumer confidence [1][3] - The core PCE price index rose by 2.6% year-on-year, remaining significantly above the Fed's 2% target, with housing costs and service sector inflation proving particularly stubborn despite aggressive rate hikes [3][5] - The disparity between strong non-farm employment growth and a declining Michigan consumer confidence index reflects deep economic contradictions, suggesting that high employment may contribute to a wage-inflation spiral while high interest rates increase default rates on credit card and auto loans [5][7] Group 2 - A slowdown in commercial loan growth and rising corporate debt default rates indicate the cumulative effects of aggressive rate hikes are beginning to manifest, although buffers such as low-interest long-term financing and excess household savings are currently mitigating recession impacts [7][9] - The divergence in monetary policy expectations between the Fed and the European Central Bank highlights the complexities of global economic conditions, with the Fed needing to be more cautious due to the U.S. economy's structure and political factors [9][11] - The deepening inversion of the U.S. Treasury yield curve, alongside the unusual simultaneous strength of gold and the dollar, suggests that the market is pricing in a prolonged period of higher rates from the Fed, with upcoming events like the Jackson Hole symposium being critical for policy direction [11]