美联储巴尔金：消费者支出仍稳健但趋谨慎 高收入群体成需求主力

Core Insights - The financial condition of American consumers has weakened compared to the peak during the pandemic, leading to more cautious spending behavior despite ongoing consumer expenditure supported by low unemployment and wage growth [1][2] - There is a structural shift in the labor market where companies are neither hiring nor laying off, indicating a significant change in the supply-demand relationship for labor [1] - The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in sectors like coding and call centers is driving productivity growth, which may help alleviate some cost pressures and support inflation control [1] Consumer Spending - Consumers are making trade-offs in their spending, indicating a shift from the more generous spending patterns observed in 2022 [1] - The spending capacity of households is increasingly constrained, particularly among middle and lower-income groups, while demand remains strong among higher-income individuals [1] Labor Market - The labor market is experiencing a notable change, with a high number of job seekers for each position, reflecting a significant shift in the dynamics of labor supply and demand [1] - Companies are facing a situation where labor demand and supply are shrinking at the same rate [1] Productivity and AI - The integration of AI technologies is seen as a factor that could significantly improve productivity, potentially offsetting some of the cost pressures faced by businesses [1] External Policy Uncertainty - Businesses are planning to pass on tariffs to consumers, indicating that trade policies are beginning to affect price transmission [1] - The current decision-making environment is complex, with the Federal Reserve facing higher uncertainty in monetary policy formulation due to fluctuating high-frequency data and accelerated structural changes [2]