Oct 2 - U.S. central bankers lopped half of a percentage point from their interest rate target in September.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the bigger-than-expected reduction was a sign of confidence that inflation is headed back to the 2% target and should not be seen as any indication of the pace of cuts going forward. Here is a look at the latest comments from Fed policymakers, sorting them under the labels "dove" and "hawk" as a rough shorthand for their monetary policy leanings, as best as can be figured. A dove is more focused on risks to the labor market and may want to cut rates more quickly, while a hawk is more focused on the threat of inflation and may be more cautious about rate cuts.
The designations are based on comments and published remarks; for more, click on the photos in this graphic. For a breakdown of how Reuters' counts in each category have changed, please scroll to the bottom of this story. Dove Dovish Centrist Hawkish Hawk Jerome Powell, Fed Michelle Chair, permanent Bowman, voter: "This is not Governor, a committee that permanent feels like it's in voter: "I a hurry to cut cannot rule out rates quickly.
" the risk that Sept. 30, 2024 progress on inflation could continue to stall." Sept 24, 2024 John Williams, New Thomas Barkin, York Fed President, Richmond Fed permanent President, 2024 voter: "With the voter: "I'm economy now in more concerned equipoise and about inflation inflation on a path than I am about to 2%, it is now the labor approp.