Fed Faces Dilemma Over December Meeting Timing Amid Data Delays
The Federal Reserve's upcoming December policy meeting presents a complex challenge: proceed without key jobs data or delay the decision for better insight. Crucial labor market statistics, delayed by October's government shutdown, won't be available until after the scheduled December 9-10 gathering.
Market observers speculate whether Chair Powell might postpone the meeting—a rare but not unprecedented move. The Fed last rescheduled meetings during the Vietnam War era. This decision carries significant weight as policymakers balance inflation control against economic stimulus.
With two consecutive rate cuts already implemented, December's choice could signal whether the Fed maintains its easing trajectory. The data blackout complicates what Powell himself called an already delicate calibration between employment support and price stability.
