Powell: Current policy stance is 'modestly restrictive'

Inflation & Employment Risks - Near-term inflation risks are skewed to the upside, while employment risks lean towards the downside, creating a complex situation with no risk-free solutions [1] - Overly aggressive easing could leave inflation unresolved, potentially requiring corrective measures to achieve the 2% target [2] - Maintaining a restrictive policy for too long could unnecessarily weaken the labor market [2] Monetary Policy Stance - Increased downside risks to employment have altered the balance of risks in achieving the dual mandate [3] - The Federal Reserve lowered the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 4% - 425% [3] - The current policy stance is considered modestly restrictive, allowing flexibility to respond to economic developments [3]