Powell Remarks Watched for Sign of Pushback or Support of Fed Rate Cut

THE FED - NEW YORK. U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks on Wednesday with key jobs data due Friday, a "quiet" period for Fed officials ahead of the Dec. 17-18 meeting beginning on Saturday, and investors leaning into an expectation for a third straight interest rate cut when the central bank meets in two weeks.

Comments by some of Powell's key colleagues this week pointed in that direction, with Governor Christopher Waller saying on Monday he was "leaning toward" a cut at the upcoming meeting even as others decline to pre-commit to that outcome.

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