Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing pressure on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to lower interest rates, highlighting internal and external divisions within the Federal Reserve regarding monetary policy direction [2][4][6]. Group 1: Federal Reserve's Internal Dynamics - Recent weeks have seen significant pressure from President Trump and White House officials urging Powell to restart the rate-cutting process [2]. - The June dot plot revealed a notable division among Federal Reserve officials, with seven out of nineteen supporting no rate cuts this year, indicating a split between hawkish and dovish factions [2][4]. - Deutsche Bank's chief U.S. economist noted that the level of disagreement among officials is at a ten-year high, reflecting fundamental differences in balancing inflation control and economic growth [4]. Group 2: Powell's Upcoming Testimony - Powell is expected to maintain a cautious stance during his upcoming testimony, likely reiterating the Fed's position to wait for more economic data before making any rate adjustments [6][11]. - Analysts predict that Powell will emphasize the current economic stability and the need for patience, despite calls for immediate action from some officials [6][11]. - The core PCE price index is anticipated to show a modest increase of only 0.1% month-over-month, indicating low inflationary pressures [6]. Group 3: Political Influences and Market Reactions - The political influence on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is becoming more pronounced, with two Republican-leaning officials suggesting a rate cut in July, which has altered market expectations [6][9]. - Market traders have raised the probability of a July rate cut to approximately 23%, while the likelihood of a September cut stands at 82% [9]. Group 4: Geopolitical Concerns - Powell is likely to address the potential economic impacts of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has seen fluctuations in oil prices but is not expected to have a lasting effect on inflation [11][14]. - Analysts warn that prolonged conflict could push oil prices to $120 per barrel, potentially raising U.S. inflation to around 5% [14]. Group 5: Regulatory and Policy Discussions - Powell may face questions regarding the current push for regulatory reforms, including the relaxation of certain banking regulations, which the White House is advocating [16]. - The proposal to eliminate interest payments on bank reserves, aimed at reducing government spending, is also expected to be a topic of discussion, though analysts caution it could disrupt monetary policy [17].

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve exhibits significant internal divisions regarding interest rate predictions, with a median expectation of two rate cuts by 2025, but a wide range of forecasts from no cuts to a reduction of 75 basis points, highlighting a notable split among policymakers [1][3]. Group 1: Internal Divisions - The degree of disagreement among Federal Reserve officials is at a ten-year high, primarily due to fundamental differences in balancing inflation control and economic growth [3][4]. - The June SEP report indicates a polarized distribution of predictions for the federal funds rate in 2025, with a gap of 50 basis points between the most common and second most common forecasts, the highest in the past decade [4][11]. - The internal split among officials suggests potential for more debates and dissent in the coming months, although the uncertainty regarding the 2025 rate path is not unprecedented [6][10]. Group 2: Inflation and Economic Outlook - Despite a high level of disagreement on core PCE inflation predictions, which reached a one percentage point divergence, this has not translated into a historic split in federal funds rate expectations, partly due to a relative consensus on unemployment rate forecasts [9][10]. - The dual peak distribution in the June dot plot reflects fundamental disagreements on how to balance inflation control with economic growth, with some officials concerned about the risks of economic slowdown while others focus on persistent inflation [11].