央行独立性亮红灯：鲍威尔刑事调查波及资产市场

Group 1 - The Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is under criminal investigation by U.S. federal prosecutors regarding the renovation of the Fed's headquarters and potential false statements made to Congress about the project's scale [2] - Powell stated that the investigation undermines the Fed's independence in setting interest rates, raising concerns about whether monetary policy will be influenced by political pressure [2][3] - Economists believe that this investigation could have significant implications for consumers' finances, as it may affect inflation and interest rates [3][4] Group 2 - Moody's Chief Economist Mark Zandi highlighted that rising inflation poses a "fatal weakness" for existing bond investors, as it diminishes the real value of bond income streams [3] - Analysts express concerns that the investigation could lead to rising interest rates, which may counteract efforts to lower mortgage rates and negatively impact the economy [3][4] - Historical precedents show that political pressure on the Fed can lead to detrimental economic outcomes, as seen during Nixon's presidency, which resulted in high inflation and stagnation in the 1970s [6][7]