Speaking at his final press conference, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell described leading the central bank as “a privilege.” The remarks followed the Fed’s announcement to keep interest rates unchanged for a third straight meeting. Powell briefly reflected on the responsibilities of the position and expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their work.
The decision to pause rate adjustments reflected ongoing evaluations of inflation trends, labor market strength and global risks. Powell reiterated the Fed’s dual focus on restoring price stability while supporting a healthy economy, saying policymakers remain alert to incoming data and to both upside and downside risks.
Separately, the Justice Department has closed a criminal investigation involving Powell, removing a recent legal cloud. Markets and economists will now watch how Powell’s tenure and the Fed’s current policy stance influence economic conditions as new leadership and evolving data guide the central bank’s next steps.