Fed is driving through a fog right now without data, says Randy Kroszner

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve is currently navigating uncertainty in the labor market, which complicates their decision-making process regarding interest rates [2][3][4] - There is a cautious tone from the Fed, as they lack real-time data on jobs and economic indicators, leading to a reliance on interpretation rather than concrete data [4][6] - The market seems to be absorbing the impact of tariffs as temporary and muted, with inflation remaining above the Fed's target but not showing significant upward pressure [8][9][10] Interest Rate Outlook - The Fed is preserving optionality in their approach to interest rates, indicating a division within the committee on future rate paths [2][4] - There is a suggestion that the labor market's weakness may be prolonged rather than a short-term blip, which could influence future rate cuts [4][5] - The Fed is cautious about making decisions based on sentiment rather than data, highlighting the importance of upcoming labor market data [6][10] Inflation and Market Response - Long-term Treasury yields are not reflecting heightened inflation concerns, suggesting that the market is comfortable with the current inflation levels [7][10] - Inflation has not shown a significant decline, remaining flat due to tariffs, but there is an expectation that it will eventually decrease as tariffs are absorbed [9][10] - The Fed is wary of incorporating assumptions into their policy decisions without clearer labor market data, which could lead to unexpected outcomes [10]