Economist reveals what 'surprised' people about Powell's rate cut

Economic Outlook - The American economy is not overheating, and there are no immediate signs of a hot economy that would lead to significant inflation [1][2] - The Employment Cost Index (ECI) report suggests that inflation is not being driven by a tight labor market [2][3] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve announced a mild quantitative easing (QE) program, starting with Treasury bill purchases, which was above market expectations [3][4] - There is a shift from quantitative tightening (QT) to QE, indicating a more accommodative monetary policy [4][11] Inflation and Tariffs - Powell indicated that the effects of tariffs on inflation are temporary, and if no new tariffs are imposed, inflation could decrease in the latter half of next year [5][8] - The recognition that tariff impacts are one-time increases rather than ongoing inflationary pressures is seen as a positive development [10] Employment Data - Powell suggested that payroll numbers may be revised to show slight negative growth, which aligns with recent ADP data [11][12] - The discussions within the Fed are characterized as thoughtful and respectful, reflecting a range of opinions on monetary policy direction [18] Corporate Engagement - President Trump is engaging with CEOs from major companies like IBM and Qualcomm to discuss the impact of AI on the economy, which Powell acknowledged as beneficial [13]