就业下行通胀上行，鲍威尔给美国经济敲警钟

Economic Overview - The Federal Reserve Chairman Powell highlighted the current economic challenges, noting short-term inflation risks and employment downturn risks [2] - The U.S. economy is experiencing a slowdown, with GDP growth at approximately 1.5% in the first half of the year, down from 2.5% the previous year [2] - Employment growth is slowing, with the unemployment rate rising slightly, indicating increased risks in the labor market [2] Employment Data - In August, the U.S. non-farm payrolls increased by 22,000, significantly below the expected 75,000, marking a concerning trend in job growth [3] - The unemployment rate in August was 4.3%, unchanged from the previous month, while June's job numbers were revised from an increase of 27,000 to a decrease of 13,000, marking the first negative growth since 2020 [3] - The average monthly job growth over the past three months was only 29,000, indicating a weak labor market [3] Inflation Insights - Powell noted that inflation has decreased from its 2022 highs but remains above the long-term target of 2%, with the latest Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index showing a 2.7% increase over the past year [4] - Core PCE, excluding food and energy, rose by 2.9%, indicating persistent inflationary pressures [4] - Changes in trade, immigration, fiscal, and regulatory policies may have significant but uncertain impacts on the economy [4] Monetary Policy Considerations - Powell expressed caution regarding the potential for inflation to rise if monetary policy is loosened too aggressively, suggesting that adjustments may be needed to achieve the 2% inflation target [4] - The current monetary policy stance is described as moderately restrictive, allowing for better adaptation to economic changes [4] Market Valuation Concerns - Powell acknowledged the high valuations in the stock market, with the S&P 500's price-to-sales ratio reaching a historical high of 3.23 and the cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings (CAPE) ratio at 35, surpassing levels seen during previous market bubbles [5] - The market's high valuations are seen as misaligned with the future outlook of the U.S. economy, which could impact the overall trajectory of international financial markets [6]