“美联储传声筒”：半数同僚反对降息，鲍威尔迎来背水一战！

Group 1 - The Federal Reserve is set to hold its final two-day meeting of the year, with a significant portion of members potentially opposing a rate cut [2] - Chairman Jerome Powell appears prepared to push for a rate cut, aiming to reduce dissent among committee members by signaling a cautious approach to future easing [3] - The decision to cut rates may hinge on recent assessments of the labor market and inflation, with Powell noting signs of labor market loosening and a lack of significant inflationary pressures [3] Group 2 - There is a growing divide among policymakers regarding the appropriateness of a rate cut, with some expressing concerns about persistent inflation and the adequacy of current rates to drive it down [4] - The upcoming release of employment and inflation data post-meeting could significantly reshape economic outlooks, as recent job growth has been strong but accompanied by rising unemployment [4] - The debate centers on whether slowing job growth reflects weak labor demand, supporting a rate cut, or is due to a contraction in labor supply, opposing a cut [4] Group 3 - Citigroup's chief economist Nathan Sheets leans towards not cutting rates, indicating a close call with no catastrophic outcomes expected from either decision [5] - The challenge for Powell will be to set policy thresholds for January based on more comprehensive data available at that time, complicating the decision-making process [5] - The proximity of current rates to the "neutral level" raises questions about the rationale for maintaining stability unless inflation declines or the labor market weakens significantly [6] Group 4 - The Federal Reserve is expected to release new economic forecasts, which may reveal members' expectations for rate cuts through 2026, amidst political pressures from President Trump [6] - Trump's attempts to influence the Fed's composition could lead to a more politically driven approach to rate cuts, raising concerns about the independence of the institution [7] - Analysts suggest that a more politicized Fed may pursue aggressive rate cuts, potentially leading to conflicts with committee members' tolerance levels [7]