The Fed chair’s measured approach leans toward cautious easing amid a “curious” labor market, despite inflation perils.

The Trump administration has pressured Powell, whose term as Fed chair expires next year, to step down as chair of the central bank.

U.S. stocks are ticking higher on Friday ahead of a highly anticipated speech about where U.S. interest rates may be heading.

So many Federal Reserve officials have said they are waiting for data over the next few weeks before deciding on a September rate cut that it doesn't leave Fed Chair Jerome Powell much room to clearly signal a rate cut,